So, I dont know if any of you have heard, but Toronto has stated that they will not be keeping Peja Stojakovic through the season. They WILL either use him as part of a future trade at the deadline, or they will buyout his contract. And they even said that since Peja was so generous in not using his trade kicker, they will give him as close to full buyout salary as possible if they buy him out.
That being said… How awesome would it be to re sign Peja after the deadline to make an end of the year run after we’ve finsihed making moves with what we have? I know Peja would have loved to stay in NO. And I think he could be DEADLY if he were to stay with the team and be the deadeye we could really use come playoffs.
One thing I know for sure is… we CAN’T let him sign onto a team like the Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, or Jazz. That would come back to bite us BIG time if he did, so if the opportunity presents itself, we HAVE to try and re sign him!
What do you all think?
9 responses to “DON’T THROW AWAY THE PEJA HEADS JUST YET!”
it certainly would be devastating for the hornets to play against Peja in the playoffs and him shoot the lights out against us! He certainly still has an enormous amount of talent that used correctly could be deadly in a clutch playoff situation. Great article Agent
I’ve long fantasized about a situation like this occurring (similar to Big Z last year), and because Peja forfeited so much money (>400k) to make the trade happen, I imagine that he and the team must be on good terms.
the only reason why peja would come back is because of his family, but he has no desire to play in new orleans. he fits best in toronto and hes gonna get that starting job, peja can still play and its shame new orleans just doesn’t use him. he could end up with mavs, jazz or spurs and would probably best fit in dallas but the spurs would be a good option too because popovich loves three point shooters, peja is more than just a three point shooter but the hornets didnt run anything for him.
whats with the hornets bashing?
He can still SHOOT. That’s different than still being able to play. I love Peja but he hasn’t been himself since 07-08. Age and injuries have caught up with him. Don’t kid yourself.
Ado buddy, I dont know what you’re talking about. Peja is absolutely crazy about Chris Paul and has called him the best passer he has ever seen. And I just said Toronto will NOT be keeping him through the season. Via ESPN:
The overwhelming sense in Toronto, according to multiple parties consulted, is that Peja Stojakovic is more likely to leave the Raptors by trade rather than buyout before the deadline.
At least that’s the Raps’ plan.
Yet if no follow-up swap materializes before Feb. 24 involving Stojakovic’s $15 million expiring contract, he’s a virtual lock to be bought out by the Raps before March 1, which would enable Peja to take his forever-accurate J J — Dallas watched him ring up a quick 17 points in just 19 minutes this month — to the contender of his choosing for the stretch run.
Raptors president Bryan Colangelo has already publicly acknowledged the buyout scenario and left the clear impression that he’ll work with Stojakovic on a mutually beneficial parting when the time comes. One of the likely reasons: Without Stojakovic’s cooperation in waiving $437,470 of a $1,215,953 trade kicker to make the salary-cap math work in the deal with New Orleans co-headlined by Jarrett Jack, Toronto couldn’t have completed a trade that brought young Jerryd Bayless to Canada … and finally rid the Raptors of Marcus Banks.
League rules on trade kickers only allowed Stojakovic to surrender the exact amount required to make the trade legal, but it was still a six-figure sacrifice that otherwise could have scuttled the deal.
The Serbian sharpshooter, furthermore, is determined to stay in the NBA for two or three more seasons after this one, according to agent David Baumann, despite the persistent wishful thinking from European teams about luring the 33-year-old back to their shores.
And a buyout, frankly, is possible even if Peja gets traded again, depending on the state of the team that acquires him. It’s not hard to imagine, should Peja shake loose, more than a few top teams trying to woo him in March when veteran shooters and big men who become in-season free agents are hot commodities.
if we dont get him this year id love to pick him up cheaply next year.
i know i sound like a broken record for those that have seen me sayin this
So lets say he gets bought out or traded, and then bought out. Lets also assume he wants to go to a contender. If you were his agent, trying to get him a ring, minutes, and exposure- where are the best fits? Off the top of my head:
1.) Miami- desperately need shooters and he could get open shots and exposure there. Would Heat prefer him to James Jones?
2.) Magic- VC and R Lewis fade in playoffs and Magic love to surround Dwight with shooters. Also, Superman can cover his defensive mistakes.
3.) Lakers- if Matt Barnes got injured, Lakers could definately use him.
4.) Bulls- Best fit IMO but are the Bulls a contender?
5.) Celtics and Spurs- no need
6.) Mavs- Actually not a bad fit for either party.
And finally…. the Hornets
I actually think there would be more interest on Peja’s end than Monty or Dell’s. With the direction they are going, I just can’t see him coming back.
My prediction? Lakers. Phil has had his eye on him for a couple years and I just think he ends up there.
Hate to say this, but Peja is a player to get you to the playoffs, but wont do much there. Been following him his entire career and he tends to choke in the post season.