NBA beat: Free agency likely is Peja's big bank shot

[AleksandarN]

I think that if Pedja and his agent were going to accept 5 year offer or (for example) 4 year offer with 5th year player option and 6th year mutual or team option they would have contract in place and ready for signing by now. That one is just too easy for the Kings not to do it right away.

Not nessary I think the Kings are looking at alot of things like trying fullfill our needs like SG and PF. Once we get an idea what our team would be like this fall then that is when I think we will try resolve the issue with Pedja by either resigning with him or trading him(probably around the end of summer).

 

[bozzwell]

Not nessary I think the Kings are looking at alot of things like trying fullfill our needs like SG and PF. Once we get an idea what our team would be like this fall then that is when I think we will try resolve the issue with Pedja by either resigning with him or trading him(probably around the end of summer).

That makes sense. Let's see if we can move KT's contract and/or get better at PF first. Swingman position seems to be spoken for since we're getting Bonzi. However, even then, if Pedja accepts 5 year max deal right now, it would be an ideal situation for the Kings: Pedja is locked down and still tradeable next year if another teams comes with an offer that makes sense. I am afraid that Pedja's agent knows that too and he will advise him to either sit tight or ask for 6 year max now. Unless of course Pedja overrides him because he really wants to stay with the Kings for the rest of his playing days and a contract is signed that appears as max deal over max time, but with added security for the Kings of last year team/mutual option.

On the other hand, if Pedja does not take 5 years now, he will assume a lot of risk too (injury, loss of form) and will have to compete with other 2006 FA's as well as with the all the hype that is already been created around 2007 as a monster FA year (Amare, Yao, 'Bron etc.).

Let's not forget that Kings may develop over the next year in a direction that would make Pedja (more) expendable to the Kings: Bonzi could work out really, really well and he is in contract year too, one of the kids could break out if anyone gets inujured or GP could make a deal this summer for a sleeper that turns out to be a stud.

I think the more we discuss the status of Pedja's contract we will come up with more and more variables and constraints to the equation and then it becomes a matter of opinion as we will not know enough behind the scenes details.

 

[mr. moustache]

That makes sense. Let's see if we can move KT's contract and/or get better at PF first.

Frankly, I'd love to see Kenny Thomas get 20-25 min a game at backup PF and backup SF. I think he'd be a 6th man quality player. It looks like he doesn't see himself like that though.

I definitely don't want to see us get rid of Thomas because of his contract. I think he can play. If it's small ball he's a great PF, I'm still curious of his value at SF.

His main weakness at PF was his defense. He was powerless against big guys. The SF's would prolly blow by him though.

 

[allrightythen]

I'd just as soon not see the Kings wait until next offseason to make this decision and create the possibility of losing Peja for nothing. Whatever it is going to be, get it done (maybe just so I won't have to worry about it and can sleep easier at night). I'm starting to believe that signing him to a big contract now before the season starts would be a smart move. It doesn't prevent you from trading him at the same time it keeps you from losing him for nothing. The question still remains however, HOW MUCH? Doesn't seem like a max player to me, but few do and Redd, Hughes, Simmons, Allen, and Co. seemed to get a lot more money than I thought they should get too, so it woudn't surprise me if Peja got something similar(more than what I think he should). Either way it needs to be done, if not now than definitely during the season some time.