In brief: Stuckey signs with Pistons

NBA: Rodney Stuckey is returning to the Pistons.

Detroit announced Saturday that the former Eastern Washington University star and restricted free agent signed a new contract. A person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press it is worth $25 million over three years.

“It’s just a process; I’m glad it’s over, though,” Stuckey said. “I think the lockout and all that stuff had something to do with it. If it was like a regular season it probably would have got done a lot easier, but it’s just a process and I’m happy to be back on the floor with my teammates.”

Stuckey has averaged 13.6 points and 4.5 assists over his four-year career with the Pistons. He averaged a team-high 15.5 points in 2010-11.

The Pistons went 30-52 last season and recently parted ways with Richard Hamilton, but they’ve been hesitant to clean house completely, hoping new coach Lawrence Frank can help this mix of players improve.

The 25-year-old Stuckey definitely fits into their plans, although it’s not clear whether he’s more suited to play point guard or shooting guard.

The Pistons struggled to co-exist last season with coach John Kuester. Stuckey was benched barely a week into the season and again with just more than a week to go when there was friction between him and Kuester.

Wire reports

Aneurysm will shelve Green

NBA: Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green will have surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm and will miss the entire season, the team announced Saturday as it traveled to Toronto for its exhibition opener against the Raptors.

Green is scheduled for an operation on Monday. Doctors said the operation “should completely repair Green’s condition and that he can expect to resume his NBA career next season,” the Celtics said in a news release.

Green, 25, averaged 9.8 points and 3.3 rebounds last season.

Associated Press