What kind of contract would you give Pedja?

[Jerryaki]

i wish it were back in the good old days. if this were back in 2001-02, i could see peja demanding and getting fair value, and maybe even something less to keep other parts of the team intact/get a good free agent.

bruce bown took a pay cut last offseason so they could sign ginobli.

that's the loyalty and general comaraderie i miss with these kings. =T

 

[starks]

1) yes indeed. Worth nothing at all. I mean, what's $60 mil among friends? That would already be too much, and enough to pin us against the cap for the rest of the decade between he, Brad and Mike.

2) and yes, its well known that the Kings main interest in all this is should be to keep the Serbian fans happy. They buy a lot of tickets. We can talk some other time about how much a franchise should value a large contingency of fans that apparently come and go as an extended entourage to a single player. If that's really what we want to have as a franchise, maybe we should pick up A.I. as well. His posse alone probably has more people in it than Belgrade.

3) Somehow I doubt a guy sneaking on as the #25 jersey one month is quite the reason to throw max money at him. You notice the guy right above him on that list? Got traded from the Kings just a few months back for being overpaid..

I’m not saying that we have to sign him because of serbian fans or #25 jersey.....I’m just trying to figure out why maloofs are willing to offer him a max contract and after all you said about peja, 60 mil "among friends" is too generous.....btw I think that many people on this board tend to overate petrie-peja love and I'm quite sure that he'll be traded this summer...

 

[Bricklayer]

The way some of you are posting you could be forgiven for thinking that Peja is this role player that comes on for 15 minutes a night, socred 3 points and does nothing else.

don't be silly -- he would come in, score 8 points and do nothing else.


Given that other than the $2000 and a pizza (large I hope) the absolute bottom offer I have seen anybody propose is $8 million per, not sure what the problem is. The fact of the matter is he's almost sure to want max now, $15 mil per. The further fact of the matter is that is too much for a player who makes his contributions. And so now we have a problem in need of a solution. If it was announced that Peja was going to resign for the midlevel exception, reactions would be considerably different.

 

[Crvena Zvezda]

He should get a 5 year deal for around 10 a year so 50 over 5

 

[Londonking]

Im a Peja fan, so i voted for $75 - $85m over 5 years.

Of course what i cant know is the opportunity cost of this outlay...ie: if we dont give him the money , but give it to someone else is that person more (or less) likely to contribute more to our potential success?

Reading the trade threads its not as though the fans here are in particular accord over who that might be...so i'm happy to stickj with the 'devil we know'.

When im listening to the Kings games i dont wince when they say he's thrown up another three. I just wait for the 'nothing but net' comment which i have every confidence will be the trailer.

 

[ParniValjak]

don't be silly -- he would come in, score 8 points and do nothing else.


Given that other than the $2000 and a pizza (large I hope) the absolute bottom offer I have seen anybody propose is $8 million per, not sure what the problem is. The fact of the matter is he's almost sure to want max now, $15 mil per. The further fact of the matter is that is too much for a player who makes his contributions. And so now we have a problem in need of a solution. If it was announced that Peja was going to resign for the midlevel exception, reactions would be considerably different.

Mate surely you can see that with increased salary cap and decreased contract lengths and %age increase, more good players will get max contracts. It will be a trend in the NBA for the length of this new CBA.

IMHO, reasonable deal for Peja would be about $70-75 million for 6 years and I reckon every team in the league would offer that if they could.

Even if Peja signed for MLE there would be people out there who would still ***** and moan about it. Its just a fickle nature of Kings supporters.

 

[Bricklayer]

Even if Peja signed for MLE there would be people out there who would still ***** and moan about it. Its just a fickle nature of Kings supporters.

Yes, we are admittedly not as constant in our affections as those who follow players based on nationalty. Odd how we get confused and actually want what's best for the franchise rather than what's best for our favorite player. Silly us.

If every player at Peja's level is going to get paid the max, there will be 50 max players in the NBA. Heck, we'd have three on our team alone. I don't beleive that for a second. The salary cap went up $5mil or whatever. Hardly a call to start running around maxing out every guy in the league who gee, has a chance to make an All-Star game. At that rate Rahim and Walker adn Lewis are max players too. The Suns have 4 max players. Detroit at least 3. Insanity.

How about this:

If I were a fan of the Miami Heat, and it was announced that we had acquired Peja Stojakovic in a trade for...I don't know, Eddie Jones. And that furthermore Peja had agreed to a contract extension at $9 mil per, I would be ECSTATIC. Dreaming championship dreams. Greatest pickup since sliced bread. Third fiddle, just come in and shoot while others do the heavy lifting, price is right -- bingo! I might get disillusioned after Prince shut him down in the ECF next year and his fans started demanding that Shaq be traded so he could get more shots. But I'd still be damn excited.

But now, I'm a fan of the Sacramento Kings, and Peja is being foisted off on me as a #1 player, and being paid max money to do it, and management seems more interested in stroking the pretty little Peja than doing anything about it, now I'm pissed. You make Peja's game into a constant, and it is situation, role, and now possibly money that dictates the dissatisfaction with Peja in Sacramento. Its shrill claims about his abilities, its the perception of favoritism (truth now -- how many other soft players do fans of Peja follow? They don't -- they laugh at them just as we all do), and now its threatening to be too much money as well.

 

[nbrans]

Geez, it really surprises me that so many people are down on Peja this year. Bricklayer, VF21.. He had an off year. Period. A year before he was the MVP runner up, came up with crucial defensive stops in the playoffs, averaged 24 points a game and looked like he was on the verge of becoming the second coming of Larry Bird.

Peja wasn't the same player when Webber came back, because whatever your opinion of Webber, he showed no interest in playing to Peja's strengths. But give Peja a chance this next year as first banana. I'm predicting a major year from him. Besides, it's a contract year, and we all know how players perform when the $$ is on the line. And when Peja is averaging 27 points per game and lighting it up, I can't WAIT to hear the tone on this board change.

Peja's going to get max money or close to it, and for good reason. There are very, very few players who are able to score 24 points a game on a good team while being a solid defender. There are very few players who are lights-out from three. No, he's not a superstar, he's not going to a win a championship on his own, but he's going to get his money, and I'm hoping it's from the Maloofs.

 

[starks]

I don't see anything wrong with fans who follow players based on nationality....of course that they have different perception then kings' fans from sac area.....I'm from canada (erupean background) and I like kings because of their style not because any particular player.....

Fans loyalty can be questioned on many different ways......for example:
kings moves to las vegas, than gsw move from oakland to sac....how many kings fans will be in sac?......a few probably....on the other hand, if peja stays the fan's base from serbia would not change.....

 

[Bricklayer]

and looked like he was on the verge of becoming the second coming of Larry Bird.

You quite obviously never saw Larry Bird play.

He did, however, look like he was going to be better than Glen Rice.

 

[LA King Fan II]

I really think Peja's rise was based more on his playing with Vlade than Webber's absence. Vlade was a brilliant cheater on screens, and obviously a swell passer. Most importantly of all - Vlade was a LOW POST threat. Getting the ball down to the block was the best thing that ever happened to the Bibby/Peja scissor cut. Vlade had to be accounted for down there and was even potent (worthy of being doubled). Except for a certain baby hook he missed against Utah in game 5 in 1999.

Kings have no inside game, slashing drives or otherwise (even with Webber) and that hurts Peja. With the current type roster IMHO he will continue to wield virtually the same impact. He needs a biggie or to be gone.

 

[PFFFT!!]

Somebody needs to "NHL-ize" the NBA and get the balls to cut salaries. Gee wiz.

 

[piksi]

don't be silly -- he would come in, score 8 points and do nothing else.


Given that other than the $2000 and a pizza (large I hope)

trying to ge ti fat too ?

 

[Bricklayer]

trying to ge ti fat too ?

Well I figure it better be worth about $10 mil, so I'm thinking we better go all out -- stuffed crust, the works.

 

[nbrans]

I really think Peja's rise was based more on his playing with Vlade than Webber's absence. Vlade was a brilliant cheater on screens, and obviously a swell passer. Most importantly of all - Vlade was a LOW POST threat. Getting the ball down to the block was the best thing that ever happened to the Bibby/Peja scissor cut. Vlade had to be accounted for down there and was even potent (worthy of being doubled). Except for a certain baby hook he missed against Utah in game 5 in 1999.

Kings have no inside game, slashing drives or otherwise (even with Webber) and that hurts Peja. With the current type roster IMHO he will continue to wield virtually the same impact. He needs a biggie or to be gone.

I agree with you 100%, King Fan, and don't forget that at that time he was also playing with Brad Miller, who did just as much for him as Vlade.

As for the low-post threat, imagine if we had a legit back-to-the-basket low post scoring threat who can also pass, someone who can also step out for a pick and roll and knock down a jumper if his defender cheats?

That is why I will plug a S&T for Shareef Abdur-Rahim for the ten thousandth time.

 

[Jerryaki]

That is why I will plug a S&T for Shareef Abdur-Rahim for the ten thousandth time.

at the 4 or a peja replacement?

 

[nbrans]

at the 4 or a peja replacement?

The 4.

 

[Jerryaki]

The 4.

i haven't made up my mind on SAR yet, but there are talks on this board that what he brings to the table offensively at the 4 will be a trade-off to what he doesn't bring defensively.

isn't he also undersized? if he is, we certainly don't need more undersized 4's, it was painful to watch it this season.

 

[whozit]

If confused, you would do a S&T with Peja for Shareef? I wouldn't mind a S&T for Shareef, but if the reported going rate for him is the mid-level then a different player should suffice. Peja is worth more than the mid-level even if one does consider him just a shooting specialist.

 

[sono]

No I am just saying that Peja seems to be the bloke that cops all the flack on this team. If someone here wakes up with a pimple on their face in the morning their imidiate reaction is to blame Peja. Its getting really tiring and no matter what Peja does he will always cop it.

People here have been coming up with ridicilous comments about what his worth is. Fact is Peja will get a contract bigger than what he has now. Personally, i don't think he is worth the max and have stated that a number of times, but he is a player who is worth at least $10 million per season and there wouldn't be a team out there that wouldn't offer him that no matter what you or anyone else thinks. Everyone wants a good player on the cheap and that quite simply isn't going to happen.

I guess for us as fans we need someone to blame when we feel like it so for now I guess its Peja's turn

The way some of you are posting you could be forgiven for thinking that Peja is this role player that comes on for 15 minutes a night, socred 3 points and does nothing else. Newsflash - Like it or lump it he is MUCH more than that.

I agree, other than that a thought if Peja gets traded to a team that can utilize him to his max, scary...

 

[Bricklayer]

If confused, you would do a S&T with Peja for Shareef? I wouldn't mind a S&T for Shareef, but if the reported going rate for him is the mid-level then a different player should suffice. Peja is worth more than the mid-level even if one does consider him just a shooting specialist.

I beleive that he was suggesting that Shareef would be the appropriate PF for Peja, while I believe you would be hard pressed to find a worse match. You can't team soft with soft without being, you guessed it, soft.

Shareef is a classic case of "only in the right situation" player for me.

PF for this team as currently constructed? No way.
SF for this team? Sure.
PF for another team? Maybe, but doubtful for a good one.
SF for another team? Sure.
$10+ mil a year? No way.
$7 mil a year? Sure.
$ MLE? Enthusiastically.

 

[LA King Fan II]

I had my years of enjoying Peja, but I think the source of a solution lies in #16. Not in how he can better his game, but who we can get for him.

I'm sorry, but I can't see Peja ever being scary in another uniform. Of course if he ends up with a superstar (shaq, kobe, garnett) he'll be left alone and drill shots - but hey even Fred Hoiberg is scary in that situation.

 

[kperica]

Yes, we are admittedly not as constant in our affections as those who follow players based on nationalty.

Two things on that comment:
1) Peja generates cashflow because of his status as the premier Serbian player in the NBA now that Divac is fading. Sacramento is a small market; the Serbian interest Peja garners is huge for the Kings, a factor that both the Kings and his agent will take into account. He will be paid more than his pure "basketball value".
2) There are as many who irrationally dislike him because of his origin as those who irrationally support him (or, since the U.S. is so large, probably more).

As far as overpaying him...unless we trade Mike or Brad, we are going to be at or near the cap. So what's the difference?
Listen, the Phoenix Suns paid $15 million more than anyone else to land a soft, no-defense, bad knee point gaurd last summer, and they have a pretty darn good team now.
Sometimes you have to spend more than apparent fair value to get the team you want.
Now, if you want to argue that Peja would not be part of "a team that you want," well, that's your opinion. But saying we should get rid of Peja because he will get paid $10 million more than he's worth is silly to me.

 

[Padrino]

I agree, other than that a thought if Peja gets traded to a team that can utilize him to his max, scary...

what team other than the kings would be able to utilize peja to his max? has this not been the PERFECT system for him to flourish in? nobody here doubts peja's skills. the only real blemish in that department is his inability to create his own shot. the biggest problem with peja is his effort level. he could average 6 rebounds a night easily, if he wanted to. he could dive after loose balls instead of staring at them, if he wanted to. he could play solid defense every single night, if he wanted to. some nights he plays inspired ball, other nights he just dissapears. i wouldn't go so far as to say that he is on the same level as vince carter or tracy mcgrady, but some nights it really does seem like he's not trying out there. i wouldn't pay a guy 60 million over 5 years to play as inconsistently as he did last season. and it is last season that matters. what he did two seasons ago dont mean ****. the nba is all about "what have you done for me lately?" its the reality of the nature of the business. peja had every opportunity this past season to be "the man." he didnt seize that opportunity, and only hurt his market value in the process. if he cant function w/o vlade, DC, or whoever, then how is he gonna fit well into some other system? i never understood this logic. people complain that webber stole peja's thunder, and how DC isnt there to flip him passes anymore, and then say we'll be sorry when he goes to some other team. if peja can't perform well under a system practically designed for him here in sacramento, then i doubt he will perform elsewhere, unless he is playing uninspired ball because he really doesnt want to play for the kings anymore....in which case he will be on the level of vince carter and tracy mcgrady.

 

[Padrino]

sorry if i seem really worked up about this. peja stojakovic just pisses me off. he could be so much better and so much more versatile than he is, but he just doesn't seem to want to, and that kills me. the guy is strong. he can jack up 30 footers and all ya hear is the swish as the ball glides thru the net. but he doesn't use that strength to muscle for rebounds, or for position on offense. he only takes what the defense gives him, rather than forcing the defense to adjust. the guy is good....but he could be great. he's not the next larry bird. bird had the complete package. but bird was a legend. you dont have to become a legend to achieve greatness. i really believe peja could be great. his willingness to become great is what i question. i dont know if he fears the pressure, or if he just lacks the drive. we've all seen peja kick into higher gears. we know he can do it. question is, will he do it on a (relatively) consistent basis, regardless of who he plays for? i wish he would. and i wish he would do it in a kings uni...

 

[nbrans]

I beleive that he was suggesting that Shareef would be the appropriate PF for Peja, while I believe you would be hard pressed to find a worse match. You can't team soft with soft without being, you guessed it, soft.

Wait, I don't understand how they'd be such a bad match, let alone the worst match. Granted, on the defensive end Abdur-Rahim probably wouldn't be the toughest 4 in the league (but at least he can rebound), but on the offensive end, Peja needs to work with players who can hit an open jump shot if their defender cheats, and he also needs big men who can pass. There's more to offense than setting hard picks, and Peja and Abdur-Rahim could play a pretty awesome two man game, just like CWebb and Peja used to do before Webber stopped passing to him.

I don't know how many times people have made the point that one player is not going to change the level of defensive intensity on the team and change the "softness." You could put Rick Mahorn in his prime on this team and it wouldn't suddenly make them a "tough" team or a good defending team unless the other four players on the court were similarly committed. Similarly, bringing in Abdur-Rahim wouldn't suddenly turn the team to jello.

Peja can be a tough defender at the 3, and if Abdur-Rahim were brought in to play the 4 he'd only play to Peja's offensive strengths.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Peja's alot to this team, he knows our system he runs the system and he does it well.
He's our leading scorer. Thats what he's there for to score, I admit he has to work on some facets of his game like his Rebounding.. But his defence isnt as bad as some people say it is, he's actually IMO an above average defender and he has made top defensive plays when it has counted in the play offs. I think what he needs to work on is gettin a little gritty, his problem is he ins't aggressive enough, He needs to put himself aside for the team, take charges, bang, he's not a weak guy by any means if anything hes stronger then most small fowards. I would give Peja whatever he wants because he is an Elite player on this team, He's done so much for us the last cuple of years, he was an MVP candidate two years ago, the guy can play and still improve, we need to hang onto Peja.

 

[PFFFT!!]

Id give him another Folsom Lake Toyota/Ford deal and an old lady on a Harley

 

[C Diddy]

If I were Petrie, I'd give Peja 5 years 55-60 million. Hell, I'd even throw in a crazy incentive package for another 10mill if he shoots 48% and averages 6.5rebounds. If he doesnt want it, trade him for Matt Harpring and run the offense around Bibby. Another option would be trade him for Mike Miller. Jerry West would "tiptoe through the tulips" if he got Peja.

 

[AleksandarN]

If I were Petrie, I'd give Peja 5 years 55-60 million. Hell, I'd even throw in a crazy incentive package for another 10mill if he shoots 48% and averages 6.5rebounds. If he doesnt want it, trade him for Matt Harpring and run the offense around Bibby. Another option would be trade him for Mike Miller. Jerry West would "tiptoe through the tulips" if he got Peja.

That is what I do not get trade him for Matt Harpring. How does trading Pedja for Matt improive the team? If I see Pedja traded we have to get equal or greater value back or it is not worth it. The idea I get from most posters is they like Pedja but if we can improve the team they would trade Pedja in a secound and you know what I would too. But what I do not get is the people who would see Pedja go for free or trade him for garbage. This is something we can not do, we lost already when we lost Vlade, Doug(assuming that Mobley signs somewhere else) and Chris and got little or nothing in return. If this happens agian with Pedja I see us being a lottery team in the future. If we going to trade anyone on this team we need equal or greater value that can address our weakness if that means trade Pedja or anyone then so be it.