LAS VEGAS — After having last season cut short by injury, Greivis Vasquez has a lot to prove.
The Nets say that’s a good thing.
Brooklyn signed the veteran combo guard to a one-year deal on Sunday for a team-friendly $5 million. And Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said they’ll be getting a savvy, cerebral veteran motivated to show he can still play.
“He’s hungry. I think he’s hungry to prove himself again,’’ Atkinson said after the Nets moved to 2-0 in the Las Vegas Summer League with a 72-65 win over Atlanta. “Coming off the injury, that’s obviously going to be a lot of hard work. But I’m just glad we got him.”
Vasquez had ankle surgery that limited him to just 23 games last season, averaging 5.7 points and four assists. But the 29-year-old Venezuelan had averaged a career-high 9.5 points for playoff-bound Toronto the season before, and 9.0 points and 4.8 assists over a career that’s seen him take — and make — a number of clutch shots.
That trait may come in handy for a Nets team in full-on rebuild mode.
“I just remember him at Maryland, he was really good in Toronto. He’s a guy we’re excited about,’’ said Atkinson. “I was excited when Sean [Marks, general manager] brought me that name; I said that’s a good one. We’ve got to help him recover from the injury last year. But that’s why you have a good [medical] team: We’re going to help him.”
After seeing Portland and Miami match their offer sheets for restricted free agents Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson, respectively, the Nets will likely count on the 6-foot-6 Vasquez to back up Jeremy Lin at point guard or play in the backcourt with Lin.
Vasquez’s experience and versatility will be of use, considering their inability to land a starting-quality shooting guard and the inexperience of their rookie backup point guards.
“Yeah, another cerebral quarterback,’’ said Atkinson. “He knows how to play the game, he’s an excellent passer. Obviously, as you can see, we like guys who can really see the floor. And he’s a competitor. He adds grit. So all the things we’re looking for. And I like the fact that he has size. You can play him at [shooting guard].”
Atkinson saw his Nets beat the summer league entry of the Hawks, for whom he was an assistant last season. After being challenged to play more physically, 212-pound power forward Chris McCullough had game highs of 16 points and eight rebounds. The Nets held Atlanta to 32.9 percent shooting from the floor and 6-of-26 from beyond the 3-point arc.