Jadran Sport: Kings will pay Stojakovic the maximum wage

[Jose]

I don't think we want to put ourselves in that positon next year -- all the power shifts to Peja in that situation and we are trapped either paying his price or wastching him walk with no compensation. That, IMHO, would be a disaster -- we've bled too much talent already. If you're actually interested in keeping him, you have to get him locked up now while you still have the power to simply trade him if the price is too high.

That's assuming he actually shows he deserves that amount of $$$. More likely than not, he won't - but if he does and we don't want to put up the $$$, a sign and trade is always a good option. Very few teams have the cap room (and willingness) to take on a max contract. And nobody can offer as much $$$ as the Kings can, because of Bird Rights. So it would still be in Peja's best interest to work out a S&T with the Kings because that would get him the best deal, and potentially a deal with a team/city that he would like to join.

Now, if he wants to renew for cheap (in the 8 to 10 million range), I'd say GO FOR IT!!!

 

[sidney]

I figure Pedja would be around Bibby's salary which makes them both extremely overpaid.

Bibby made about 10m this year. If he's overpaid it's not by much by NBA standards. Are there 5 other point guards that are clearly better than him?

Getting Peja for about what we pay Bibby would be great for the Kings. I doubt Peja gets Kobe-type money, but I do believe he will be the highest paid King (under the current roster) if we sign him to a new contract.

 

[Bricklayer]

That's assuming he actually shows he deserves that amount of $$$. More likely than not, he won't - but if he does and we don't want to put up the $$$, a sign and trade is always a good option. Very few teams have the cap room (and willingness) to take on a max contract. And nobody can offer as much $$$ as the Kings can, because of Bird Rights. So it would still be in Peja's best interest to work out a S&T with the Kings because that would get him the best deal, and potentially a deal with a team/city that he would like to join.

Now, if he wants to renew for cheap (in the 8 to 10 million range), I'd say GO FOR IT!!!

It doesn't really matter how he performs next year -- he is in absolute control. Can leave us high and dry at his sole discretion.

And unlike Webber its highly unlikely we can offer him a larger $$$ deal than everybody else. Because of the small size of his current contract, our Bird Rights are not worth nearly as much. The rule is that the first year salary of a max deal for a player with 7+ years (which he will have) can be no more than 30% of the cap or 105% of the last year of his previous contract. Because his former contract was smallish, its going to be that 30% of the cap number, and there are sure to be several teams with at least that much room. And if we decide he's worth less than the max, more and more teams enter into the bidding picture.

So without the extra $$$ to offer we are put into a VERY vulnerable position. Essentially we are no longer determining his market value -- his agent and a bunch of other teams are as well. And if he likes another situation better, another coach, another city, he can just leave and then we are really screwed. We lose all control and for what? Offer him what we can afford to pay a second or third fiddle, see how he responds. If he wants more, say thanks but no thanks and shop him for equivalent talent -- a lot of fish in the sea. People like to kid themselves about Peja, but he's not the sort of talent you risk the franchise over. He's interchangeable -- you can get equal value.

 

[VF21]

It doesn't really matter how he performs next year -- he is in absolute control. Can leave us high and dry at his sole discretion.

And unlike Webber its highly unlikely we can offer him a larger $$$ deal than everybody else. Because of the small size of his current contract, our Bird Rights are not worth nearly as much. The rule is that the first year salary of a max deal for a player with 7+ years (which he will have) can be no more than 30% of the cap or 105% of the last year of his previous contract. Because his former contract was smallish, its going to be that 30% of the cap number, and there are sure to be several teams with at least that much room. And if we decide he's worth less than the max, more and more teams enter into the bidding picture.

So without the extra $$$ to offer we are put into a VERY vulnerable position. Essentially we are no longer determining his market value -- his agent and a bunch of other teams are as well. And if he likes another situation better, another coach, another city, he can just leave and then we are really screwed. We lose all control and for what? Offer him what we can afford to pay a second or third fiddle, see how he responds. If he wants more, say thanks but no thanks and shop him for equivalent talent -- a lot of fish in the sea. People like to kid themselves about Peja, but he's not the sort of talent you risk the franchise over. He's interchangeable -- you can get equal value.

...sigh...

Sure not a rosy picture there, Brickie.

Is there ANY upside?

 

[piksi]

but there's guys out there like latrell sprewell who have families to feed.

Sorry

 

[Bricklayer]

...sigh...

Sure not a rosy picture there, Brickie.

Is there ANY upside?

Oddly, if I were the GM I would not be that worried about it because I WOULD resolve it one way or the other this summer. While I still felt like I had options and control. And as long as that's the way Petrie is looking at it, we should do fine unless he makes an uncharacteristic blunder. Sign him to OUR contract, or trade him if his agent insists on more. Either way we get what we need and roll on.

But if we do go the high risk route its going to a nailbiting season and offseason next year. I just think we are beyond that. We aren't a struggling team wondering whether we want to rebuild through the lottery or whatever. At least in theory we're a fallen elite team looking to rebound. We're not desperate, and I see no reason to put the franchise in a compromising postion at this point. If we're just smart and safe I actually think either getting back Peja at a reasonable price or getting equal value should actually be one of the more guaranteed things we do this summer.

 

[chelle]

I agree. I think that whatever the decision, it needs to be made this summer. I think the TEAM has the control to decide its future. We can offer Peja what we want to give him or trade him for more pieces to round out the team. Personally, I hope we keep him, but trust that if we do not, Petrie will make godd decsions about who to bring in with a trade. It's going to be an interesting summer and it has not really even begun yet!

 

[ParniValjak]

This is the type of lunacy that has to be addressed in the next CBA. Paying anyone $134 million is ridiculous. NO ONE is that good.

Word.

 

[VF21]

It's going to be an interesting summer and it has not really even begun yet!

Not only hasn't summer begun, I spent the day watching it rain and hail outside... As of tonight they're starting to worry about possible flooding in the valley. The snow pack, which is currently anywhere from 136% to 240% of normal, is starting to melt - quickly. At times like this, I'm very glad I live at 4,200 feet elevation.

 

[VF21]

And as long as that's the way Petrie is looking at it, we should do fine unless he makes an uncharacteristic blunder.

Where once I would have assumed without question that Petrie would make the right decision, I have to confess to just a bit of doubt - especially since it's his project player that's involved.

But if we do go the high risk route its going to a nailbiting season and offseason next year. I just think we are beyond that. We aren't a struggling team wondering whether we want to rebuild through the lottery or whatever. At least in theory we're a fallen elite team looking to rebound. We're not desperate, and I see no reason to put the franchise in a compromising postion at this point. If we're just smart and safe I actually think either getting back Peja at a reasonable price or getting equal value should actually be one of the more guaranteed things we do this summer.

Again I hope you're right. And I hope I can get back the nearly blind faith I've had in Petrie...

 

[Vlad]

This sounds like a bunch of baloney.

 

[VF21]

I think it's just wishful thinking on the part of a Pedja fan who would love to see his favorite player get a maximum contract from the Kings...

 

[chelle]

Not only hasn't summer begun, I spent the day watching it rain and hail outside... As of tonight they're starting to worry about possible flooding in the valley. The snow pack, which is currently anywhere from 136% to 240% of normal, is starting to melt - quickly. At times like this, I'm very glad I live at 4,200 feet elevation.

Since I live below sea level, I can't relate. Hot here in the upper 80's. We are just glad we are still having our spring weather.

I'm hoping that Petrie helps us out by making some GOOD decisions as soon as possible so the only pressure I have to worry about is the humidity outside.

I have found my faith in Petrie wavering just a bit, but I have decided to clench my teeth and trust him. There has been no solid evidence of a blunder YET. It makes it easier if I believe there was a BIG master plan at work all season that only he fully knows about. Peja has actually seemed happier lately (if all his quotes are any indication). Maybe Petrie let him in on a little of the plan. I would like to keep him if the price is right!

 

[Raci]

I give him a 10-11 millions on first year,but not max.

 

[Rowdyone]

As much as I rag on Peja I sincerely hope we can afford to keep Peja but for purely basketball reasons. It would be great to have made the moves necessary to give us a solid 2 of 3 frontline and scoring SG allowing us the luxury of a streaky spot up 3 pt. shooter like Peja. But the reality is that to make those moves Peja is one of our best trade options. But I really don't see GP touching the core of this team so I predict Peja will be with us at least one more year and then we'll be facing a real dilema...pay him or try to sign and trade him.