http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14109765p-14939335c.html
Stojakovic wants to stay put
The free-agent-to-be says he would take less money to remain with the Kings.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
There was a man sitting courtside at the Kings-Miami game on Sunday night, dispatched by his NBA team for the sole purpose of scouting Peja Stojakovic.
Such is the reality facing the Kings small forward, whose pending free agency will loom until his future is decided. League executives want to assess the state of Stojakovic's game, to gauge his potential worth and establish a game plan should their franchise decide to pursue his services. But Stojakovic told The Bee on Sunday that he'd rather stay in Sacramento for the long haul - past the Feb. 23 trading deadline and right on to the end of his career.
"I would love to play for the Kings for the rest of my career," said Stojakovic, who was drafted by the Kings out of Serbia-Montenegro in 1996, began playing for them in the strike-shortened 1998-99 season, and has played more games as a Sacramento King (518) than any other player.
"That would be a good thing. I think every player that ends with the team he started with, that means something."
Even if it means turning down bigger offers and considering a "hometown" discount?
"I think money is not going to be a huge thing in my mind," he said. "It's what I think, what I feel like."
Before this season, it still seemed plausible for Stojakovic's next contract to warrant the maximum allowed by the collective-bargaining agreement, considering the exorbitant deals signed during the offseason and the coming free-agent crop that is relatively thin.
But that depends on what transpires before the trading deadline for the Kings, who:
* Are already operating above the salary cap.
* May have to handle the free agency of shooting guard Bonzi Wells.
* And that would lessen the likelihood that they would pose a maximum offer to Stojakovic.
Still, as one league executive predicted, at least one team may very well offer the max. If that's the case, Stojakovic - who has a player option worth $8.2 million for next season on his current contract that no one expects him to exercise - may have to accept less to stay in Sacramento.
Stojakovic doesn't have to go far to find someone who understands his stance. On Jan. 8, center Brad Miller - the Indiana native who is signed with the Kings through 2010 - told the Indianapolis Star that, when his Kings contract expires, he would sign with the Pacers for the veteran's minimum salary to finish his career with his hometown team.
"That's what I mean," said Stojakovic, relating to Miller. "I look at Sacramento as my home, because I don't know anything better."
His affection for the Capital City is as much personal as professional. His home life is peaceful in Sacramento, where Stojakovic, 28, and his fiancée, Aleka Kamila, are expecting their second child. And after Stojakovic was so disappointed when the Kings didn't re-sign his close friend, Vlade Divac, in 2004, he has adjusted to that, too, remaining close with Divac as they've become teammates on the charity front. Just last week, they held the fourth annual Peja and Vlade Charitabowl, in which proceeds went to Stojakovic's foundation.
Adjustments have been made. Things have changed. He is, the past be darned, happy here now.
"I truly think that we have great people in Sacramento," Stojakovic said. "Whatever we do, they support us. I've been doing my charity work for the past couple of years, and they've been great - supportive and always there. We are lucky we have those fans. And it's perfect for the family. For raising the kids, it's the perfect setting. That's what I believe."
Oh, how those feelings have changed. It was only 17 months ago that Stojakovic brought up the subject of his own trade - in what he clarifies as a trade request, and not a trade demand.
Nonetheless, he was ready to go, with Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie saying at the time that "(Stojakovic) doesn't feel going forward that he could be as successful as he wants to be."
His self-proclamation has held true. The season before his request was his best as a pro, as he averaged 24.2 points per game and was 48 percent from the field while becoming an All-Star. This season's shooting percentage (40.5 percent), however, is the lowest since he became a starter in his second season.
It's his second straight decline in accuracy - he made 44.4 percent of his shots and averaged 20.1 points per game in 2004-05. His scoring average of 16.9 points per game this season is his worst since his second season.
Presently, Stojakovic said he's frustrated by everything from the injuries to his wayward shot to the losing. A sprained pinky, strained groin and protruding disc have kept him out of nine games, making it difficult to stay in playing shape. When he missed three games recently with the back problem that made his right leg go stiff and sore, Stojakovic said he went eight days without exercise of any sort.
"I couldn't do a treadmill or anything," he said.
Since returning, he has made 15 of 47 shots (6 of 23 three-pointers) in three games, enough to put all thoughts of the future on hold. "I don't think about (free agency) right now," Stojakovic said. "I just want to get myself in better condition and hopefully have some better games."
Stojakovic wants to stay put
The free-agent-to-be says he would take less money to remain with the Kings.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
There was a man sitting courtside at the Kings-Miami game on Sunday night, dispatched by his NBA team for the sole purpose of scouting Peja Stojakovic.
Such is the reality facing the Kings small forward, whose pending free agency will loom until his future is decided. League executives want to assess the state of Stojakovic's game, to gauge his potential worth and establish a game plan should their franchise decide to pursue his services. But Stojakovic told The Bee on Sunday that he'd rather stay in Sacramento for the long haul - past the Feb. 23 trading deadline and right on to the end of his career.
"I would love to play for the Kings for the rest of my career," said Stojakovic, who was drafted by the Kings out of Serbia-Montenegro in 1996, began playing for them in the strike-shortened 1998-99 season, and has played more games as a Sacramento King (518) than any other player.
"That would be a good thing. I think every player that ends with the team he started with, that means something."
Even if it means turning down bigger offers and considering a "hometown" discount?
"I think money is not going to be a huge thing in my mind," he said. "It's what I think, what I feel like."
Before this season, it still seemed plausible for Stojakovic's next contract to warrant the maximum allowed by the collective-bargaining agreement, considering the exorbitant deals signed during the offseason and the coming free-agent crop that is relatively thin.
But that depends on what transpires before the trading deadline for the Kings, who:
* Are already operating above the salary cap.
* May have to handle the free agency of shooting guard Bonzi Wells.
* And that would lessen the likelihood that they would pose a maximum offer to Stojakovic.
Still, as one league executive predicted, at least one team may very well offer the max. If that's the case, Stojakovic - who has a player option worth $8.2 million for next season on his current contract that no one expects him to exercise - may have to accept less to stay in Sacramento.
Stojakovic doesn't have to go far to find someone who understands his stance. On Jan. 8, center Brad Miller - the Indiana native who is signed with the Kings through 2010 - told the Indianapolis Star that, when his Kings contract expires, he would sign with the Pacers for the veteran's minimum salary to finish his career with his hometown team.
"That's what I mean," said Stojakovic, relating to Miller. "I look at Sacramento as my home, because I don't know anything better."
His affection for the Capital City is as much personal as professional. His home life is peaceful in Sacramento, where Stojakovic, 28, and his fiancée, Aleka Kamila, are expecting their second child. And after Stojakovic was so disappointed when the Kings didn't re-sign his close friend, Vlade Divac, in 2004, he has adjusted to that, too, remaining close with Divac as they've become teammates on the charity front. Just last week, they held the fourth annual Peja and Vlade Charitabowl, in which proceeds went to Stojakovic's foundation.
Adjustments have been made. Things have changed. He is, the past be darned, happy here now.
"I truly think that we have great people in Sacramento," Stojakovic said. "Whatever we do, they support us. I've been doing my charity work for the past couple of years, and they've been great - supportive and always there. We are lucky we have those fans. And it's perfect for the family. For raising the kids, it's the perfect setting. That's what I believe."
Oh, how those feelings have changed. It was only 17 months ago that Stojakovic brought up the subject of his own trade - in what he clarifies as a trade request, and not a trade demand.
Nonetheless, he was ready to go, with Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie saying at the time that "(Stojakovic) doesn't feel going forward that he could be as successful as he wants to be."
His self-proclamation has held true. The season before his request was his best as a pro, as he averaged 24.2 points per game and was 48 percent from the field while becoming an All-Star. This season's shooting percentage (40.5 percent), however, is the lowest since he became a starter in his second season.
It's his second straight decline in accuracy - he made 44.4 percent of his shots and averaged 20.1 points per game in 2004-05. His scoring average of 16.9 points per game this season is his worst since his second season.
Presently, Stojakovic said he's frustrated by everything from the injuries to his wayward shot to the losing. A sprained pinky, strained groin and protruding disc have kept him out of nine games, making it difficult to stay in playing shape. When he missed three games recently with the back problem that made his right leg go stiff and sore, Stojakovic said he went eight days without exercise of any sort.
"I couldn't do a treadmill or anything," he said.
Since returning, he has made 15 of 47 shots (6 of 23 three-pointers) in three games, enough to put all thoughts of the future on hold. "I don't think about (free agency) right now," Stojakovic said. "I just want to get myself in better condition and hopefully have some better games."
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Obviously that was Webb's mistake. When he wanted to leave, the Maloofs were offering to mow his grass to keep him here. As soon as he said he wanted to end his career in Sac, well, poooff, he's gone. Looks like Peja's out of here.
