http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13665491p-14508293c.html
Peja Stojakovic says he doesn't want to go anywhere. He says he wants to be a King for life despite having the ability at the end of this season to terminate the final year (2006-07) of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent capable of signing with any NBA team.
"I can't say I don't think about it," the 28-year-old Stojakovic said of his potential free agency, "but I'm not obsessing about it. It doesn't make me any more nervous, and I don't think any differently than I thought last year."
Hold up, Peja.
Last year at this time, Stojakovic was vague but determined either to be traded or not re-sign with the Kings. He wouldn't say it was because of statements made during the summer by then-teammate Chris Webber, but we all knew that was why Stojakovic was tripping mentally.
Webber was traded in February to Philadelphia, and like every great shooter, Stojakovic cannot remember any of his misses, only his makes.
"I would love to stay in Sacramento and be a King for life," he said. "I've had a great seven years here. My family loves it here, and we're very comfortable here. But this is a business, and you never do know what may happen."
Stojakovic supporters might wonder why the Kings have not tried to sign him to an extension, but it's not in his best financial interest to do anything but become an unrestricted free agent before reaching an agreement with the team.
Any extension would be linked to the final-year salary of his prior contract, whereas once he becomes an unrestricted free agent, his new contract can have a much larger starting salary.
According to the man who knows, Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie, Stojakovic's contract conceivably could begin at as much as 30 percent of the salary cap figure. That's in the neighborhood of $11 million or $12 million, compared with an increase off next season's salary of $8.225 million.
Manny being Manny
When watching the prodigious output of Boston left fielder Manny Ramírez, I can't forget the Red Sox exposed Ramírez to waivers during the 2003-04 offseason in an attempt to rid themselves of his remaining salaries that included $22.5 million in 2004 and $22 million this past season. That meant, basically, any team in the league could have claimed him and not surrendered any talent in exchange - if they were willing to pay him.
Ramírez has a reputation for quirky behavior, but is this dude on the lam on murder charges or what? Baseball could be the most individual of all team sports. You stand in the batter's box by yourself and handle your business, and while playing defense, an outfielder might has well be a horse grazing in the pasture.
The Red Sox are extremely fortunate no one snagged Ramírez, clearly one of the game's most dominant offensive forces. For the record, this season he was third in the American League in homers with 45, tied for second in RBIs (144), fourth in slugging percentage (.594) and seventh in on-base percentage (.388) and runs (112).
That's Paulding with a little 'l'
Rickey Paulding is an excellent athlete who played in Israel last season after being drafted by his hometown Detroit Pistons with the 54th pick of the 2004 draft. He's in camp with the Kings but might have been feeling a little disrespected at Monday's media day with his name misspelled "Pauding" on the back of his No. 20 jersey.
Stuff happens. Since the guy had no "L" on his jersey, does that make him a winner?
Peja Stojakovic says he doesn't want to go anywhere. He says he wants to be a King for life despite having the ability at the end of this season to terminate the final year (2006-07) of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent capable of signing with any NBA team.
"I can't say I don't think about it," the 28-year-old Stojakovic said of his potential free agency, "but I'm not obsessing about it. It doesn't make me any more nervous, and I don't think any differently than I thought last year."
Hold up, Peja.
Last year at this time, Stojakovic was vague but determined either to be traded or not re-sign with the Kings. He wouldn't say it was because of statements made during the summer by then-teammate Chris Webber, but we all knew that was why Stojakovic was tripping mentally.
Webber was traded in February to Philadelphia, and like every great shooter, Stojakovic cannot remember any of his misses, only his makes.
"I would love to stay in Sacramento and be a King for life," he said. "I've had a great seven years here. My family loves it here, and we're very comfortable here. But this is a business, and you never do know what may happen."
Stojakovic supporters might wonder why the Kings have not tried to sign him to an extension, but it's not in his best financial interest to do anything but become an unrestricted free agent before reaching an agreement with the team.
Any extension would be linked to the final-year salary of his prior contract, whereas once he becomes an unrestricted free agent, his new contract can have a much larger starting salary.
According to the man who knows, Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie, Stojakovic's contract conceivably could begin at as much as 30 percent of the salary cap figure. That's in the neighborhood of $11 million or $12 million, compared with an increase off next season's salary of $8.225 million.
Manny being Manny
When watching the prodigious output of Boston left fielder Manny Ramírez, I can't forget the Red Sox exposed Ramírez to waivers during the 2003-04 offseason in an attempt to rid themselves of his remaining salaries that included $22.5 million in 2004 and $22 million this past season. That meant, basically, any team in the league could have claimed him and not surrendered any talent in exchange - if they were willing to pay him.
Ramírez has a reputation for quirky behavior, but is this dude on the lam on murder charges or what? Baseball could be the most individual of all team sports. You stand in the batter's box by yourself and handle your business, and while playing defense, an outfielder might has well be a horse grazing in the pasture.
The Red Sox are extremely fortunate no one snagged Ramírez, clearly one of the game's most dominant offensive forces. For the record, this season he was third in the American League in homers with 45, tied for second in RBIs (144), fourth in slugging percentage (.594) and seventh in on-base percentage (.388) and runs (112).
That's Paulding with a little 'l'
Rickey Paulding is an excellent athlete who played in Israel last season after being drafted by his hometown Detroit Pistons with the 54th pick of the 2004 draft. He's in camp with the Kings but might have been feeling a little disrespected at Monday's media day with his name misspelled "Pauding" on the back of his No. 20 jersey.
Stuff happens. Since the guy had no "L" on his jersey, does that make him a winner?
