Peja a Hornet - agent confirms it

[sono]

... had the kings not traded peja for ron artest, we'd be watching him walk away this offseason...

He's been underpaid of his career for a player of his caliber. Put yourself in his shoes. His intention wasn't just a walk away, he asked for a trade 2 years ago, remember?

...because kings management is nowhere near stupid enough to sign him for $60 million plus...

well you found a management stupid enough to sign him in NO.

 

[Warhawk]

I have no hate for Peja, and I'm glad he got his money.

That said I'm thrilled we got rid of him when we did and this just reinforces that x10.

Well put. I'm glad he was able to work out a large contract for himself. I like him, but am glad we aren't the ones forking over that much.

And yes, to get Artest for 2.5 years from a guy we wouldn't have been able to re-sign is a good thing.

 

[6th]

I am surprised Peja is getting that much money. Why? He has not been as consistent, and had injuries, the past couple of years. However, I think the Kings were very fortunate to have had Peja during his best pro years, and that they did not have to pay him what he was worth at the time.

Now, I think he will be paid more than he is worth. I don't begrudge him that. What goes around, comes around. It is time his salary balanced out to what he was worth in his prime. I am glad he found a team willing to pay that much.

 

[Fresno King]

Thanks for the memories, Peja. I hope you miss every shot you take against the Kings from this point on, however. I'll always be grateful to him for being one of the guys that put the Kings on the map and back to respectibility. But with all that said, the guy was pretty soft and we got a great deal for him, so it was a great marriage from day one to the end.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Thanks for the memories, Peja. I hope you miss every shot you take against the Kings from this point on, however.

Aww come on, why not hope he has a game like B-Jax had against us the first time Memphis came to Sac and still lost.

 

[jon e]

Aww come on, why not hope he has a game like B-Jax had against us the first time Memphis came to Sac and still lost.

cos the monarchs will never play the kings

 

[PejaFanatic]

Good for Peja for getting a great deal.

 

[mcsluggo]

I'm personally very disappointed in the KF community for all the pointles vitriol aimed at Peja (in this thread, but mostly in others)

He was a good citizen, never used up anywhere near the cap space that he was actually worth... and he gets the OP treatment. Charming.

 

[LMM]

I'm happy for Peja. NO overpaid for him for sure, but Peja has always been a nice guy and I wish him well in the future.

If the hornets pick up bjax also, i'll probably go to a NO @ NJ game next season.

 

[Bricklayer]

Because of the silly $$ figure here, one thing that people don't seem to be talking much about is how this will work out on the court. I still don't think Peja is going to provide an ounce of leadership nor play his way through a stubbed toe, but with Chris Paul there as the main man and star, and able to drive and kick and create at will in a pseudo-Princeton system, Peja could be set up to be very effective for the next few years.

 

[NoBonus]

With this trade, NO gets a much-needed shot in the arm of mediocrity... why aim high when you can aim for the middle? wow, when does Chris Paul's contract expire? I am guessing he will want to be traded once he figures out exactly of what Peja is capable and when he figures out Peja is nearly untradable with that contract (not to mention numerous injuries).

Peja is going to be like a lead weight for NO with that massive contact... when is the next union contract renegotiation? Maybe they will be able to get a one-time waiver to ditch him then. For now, though, perhaps NO should change their name to the New Orleans Knicks.

 

[NoBonus]

I'm personally very disappointed in the KF community for all the pointles vitriol aimed at Peja (in this thread, but mostly in others)

He was a good citizen, never used up anywhere near the cap space that he was actually worth... and he gets the OP treatment. Charming.

Interesting points... I think Peja has been demonized for the same reason the Kings were rid of him... he let everyone down with his fourth quarter David Copperfield or Harry Houdini impressions. Additionally, there is never forgiveness for players who do not play with heart; you should not expect to see much positive stuff about Peja, he made it clear that, even though given the opportunity to take a huge role on the roster when C-Webb was traded, he would rather just go through the motions and collect his check. Essentially, he never came close to living up to expectations and it appeared that was mostly his own doing.

I think this move to NO goes to show that Peja has no interest in winning or basketball... he just wants the cash.

Peja was my favorite player... but then he just stopped caring and that was a real heartbreaker.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Because of the silly $$ figure here, one thing that people don't seem to be talking much about is how this will work out on the court. I still don't think Peja is going to provide an ounce of leadership nor play his way through a stubbed toe, but with Chris Paul there as the main man and star, and able to drive and kick and create at will in a pseudo-Princeton system, Peja could be set up to be very effective for the next few years.

I agree that Peja should have less pressure with Paul being "the man" and should fit into a nice system there - but you have to wonder what effect this may have psychologically on CP being the leader of the team and stuck to his rookie contract. Even when it comes time to resign will his max contract be as big as Peja's? Not to mention the little issue of affording to resign him with the remaining back loaded years of Peja's contract on their books.

 

[reyes13]

Peja will break their hearts also(New Orleans)
-especially making over 12mil a season.

 

[kennadog]

I agree that Peja should have less pressure with Paul being "the man" and should fit into a nice system there - but you have to wonder what effect this may have psychologically on CP being the leader of the team and stuck to his rookie contract. Even when it comes time to resign will his max contract be as big as Peja's? Not to mention the little issue of affording to resign him with the remaining back loaded years of Peja's contract on their books.

I can't imagine CP not getting a much bigger contract, when it's his turn, unless something goes wrong (eg, injury).

 

[Bricklayer]

I agree that Peja should have less pressure with Paul being "the man" and should fit into a nice system there - but you have to wonder what effect this may have psychologically on CP being the leader of the team and stuck to his rookie contract. Even when it comes time to resign will his max contract be as big as Peja's? Not to mention the little issue of affording to resign him with the remaining back loaded years of Peja's contract on their books.

I sincerely doubt any of that is going to be an issue. Paul is just too good. Barring Peja pouting again, which I dooubt just given that its damn clear who's team he is going to, there is not a single NBA player or coach who is going to get confused and decide to try to follow Peja rather than Chris Paul. And the money for Paul should be an automatic. Teams rarely lose young superstars because they aren't willing to pay anymore. Everybody knows what it will cost (max) and you can plan accordingly.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

I sincerely doubt any of that is going to be an issue. Paul is just too good. Barring Peja pouting again, which I dooubt just given that its damn clear who's team he is going to, there is not a single NBA player or coach who is going to get confused and decide to try to follow Peja rather than Chris Paul. And the money for Paul should be an automatic. Teams rarely lose young superstars because they aren't willing to pay anymore. Everybody knows what it will cost (max) and you can plan accordingly.

I wasn't talking about coaches or players not knowing who the leader was, I meant is there a chance Paul could become resentful especially if his second contract is less than what a fading Peja is making in his final 2 years (won't that be the case because of the max value of contracts having to do with tenure?). It happens all the time in pro sports.

Its just odd because until now the Hornets have shown a complete unwillingness to spend money. If 3 years from now they're stuck with a huge Peja deal for another 2 seasons and no takers who knows what will happen when Paul is up for grabs. Worst case would probably be some kind of sign and trade but depending on the state of the franchise (and the city) you never know.

 

[Packt]

I wasn't talking about coaches or players not knowing who the leader was, I meant is there a chance Paul could become resentful especially if his second contract is less than what a fading Peja is making in his final 2 years (won't that be the case because of the max value of contracts having to do with tenure?). It happens all the time in pro sports.

Its just odd because until now the Hornets have shown a complete unwillingness to spend money. If 3 years from now they're stuck with a huge Peja deal for another 2 seasons and no takers who knows what will happen when Paul is up for grabs. Worst case would probably be some kind of sign and trade but depending on the state of the franchise (and the city) you never know.

What is there to be resentful about. It's all in the salary structure of the NBA. He'll get his, and in the long run, he'll probably make more.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

What is there to be resentful about. It's all in the salary structure of the NBA. He'll get his, and in the long run, he'll probably make more.

I'm not saying he will be, I'm just saying it happens some times. I'm not questioning his character or anything of that nature.

 

[VF21]

I'm just thankful that, for once, the Kings aren't in the middle of all the drama.