Vlade is a Laker no more.

[KP]

Lakers waive Divac; retirement for big man next?

Associated Press






HONOLULU -- The Los Angeles Lakers have waived Vlade Divac, a disappointment in his second go-round with the team.

The Lakers had the option of picking up a one-year, $5.4 million contract option or buying him out for $2 million. Divac will be owed the $2 million if he clears waivers.

The 37-year-old center underwent back surgery in January and played in only 15 games for Los Angeles last season, averaging 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds. He had averaged 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in 15 previous NBA seasons, seven with the Lakers, two with Charlotte and six with Sacramento.

Taken by the Lakers with the 26th pick in the 1989 NBA draft, they traded him to Charlotte in 1996 for the rights to Kobe Bryant.

Divac has been quoted as saying he planned to retire, but would like to remain with the Lakers as an assistant coach and scout.

The Lakers also announced Thursday that they have signed center Adam Parada, a 7-foot center who last played in the NBA Developmental League. Parada, out of UC Irvine, averaged 5.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 13.8 minutes in 23 games for the Huntsville Flight.

He was a member of the Sacramento Kings' training camp roster in 2004 but was waived.

 

[piksi]

another example of how a year with Lakers can ruin Your career

 

[Vlad]

I hate the lakers so much. Vlade, get ya mind right and come be an asst. for the kings.

 

[ONEZERO]

wait, isnt divac "coaching" the lakers now? i thought he already announced his "retirement" from playing a few weeks ago and has agreed to "coach" the lakers. but i could be wrong.

 

[VF21]

^^That "report" was highly speculative and somewhat overblown by the media. Vlade AND his agent denied it, but it seemed to have a life of its own - thanks to the Internet.

He has NOT made a formal retirement announcement and, additionally, neither he or the Lakers have said anything about him coaching for them now or in the future. (Other than the aforementioned questionable quote that showed up on blic.com, a less-than-accurate Serbian website.)

 

[ONEZERO]

^^^^oh alright. so what do u think is next for him? i'd say he probably spends time with his family.

 

[SDKing]

didn't Parada come to the King's training camp last year?

 

[VF21]

Parada, out of UC Irvine, averaged 5.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 13.8 minutes in 23 games for the Huntsville Flight.

He was a member of the Sacramento Kings' training camp roster in 2004 but was waived.

Yep.

 

[SacTownKid]

Wonder if there is a team out there wanting to take in Vlade. He looked alright when he came back last season. He could be good for 10 minutes a game somewhere.

 

[VF21]

I don't think it's a matter of a team "wanting to take in Vlade." He's made it pretty clear that he's not looking to go to another team. And you can't blame him. He's played a LOT of basketball. He has a growing family he wants to spend time with. He's earned the right to his retirement. I strongly doubt he would even entertain any offers at this point.

It's not like he needs the money. And - as far as career accomplishments go - he's pretty much done it all, except the NBA ring, and I think winning the title for Serbia took care of that part.

I just hope that he eventually returns to the game as some kind of ambassador or something. We could use a few more guys like Vlade around.

 

[SacTownKid]

I have also heard a million other things in regards to Vlade, I'm at the point where I wouldn't be all that surprised to see him in a Bobcats uniform next season.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Well lets hope Daniel Webster can be conjured up to help Vlade recover his soul. As for Prada glad to see him getting a look even is with Satan's minion...

 

[outsider62]

Good luck Vlade! I enjoyed watching you play. Your passes were piece of beauty!