Will Peja Stojakovic Be a King Next Year?

[Bricklayer]

There is another possibility here. We all know that we cannot afford another max contract, even if we felt Peja was worth one. We also know Peja is held in high esteem by management. Does anyone here think that GP might trade Brad or Mike to fit Peja under the cap ? You can certainly make a case for not needing Mike as a PG since the high post distributes the ball in our system (but, yes he is a great shooter). You can also make a case that Brad is not fast enough, jump high enough or rebound and play defense enough to keep around (but, yes, he's a good passer). Would management take this tack to keep Peja around? Or is GP too vain to admit Peja was not the best choice in that year's draft?

I would not put say that's beyond the realm of possibility frankly. I have become increasingly concerned that just about anybody on the team might be sacrificed by Geoff to keep his Peja. (an idea I find much ickier than merely losing) He will of course have a chance to prove me wrong. But will he?

Note also -- Bonzi is also a FA at the end of the year. We could just let him walk and have our room right there. Anything for the golden boy right?

 

[Bricklayer]

I don't see a scenario where Peja is signed to anything approaching a max deal and stays with a team that has both Bibby and Miller. It just does not make financial sense. As much as people are beating Petrie up about the "parts" we received in the "trade." He seems to get a free pass on overpaying for Bibby.

I mean who were we competing with to keep his services? Who was under the cap? Or was it we didn't want to insult him??

At that point in time it was the right move. In fact if Peja had been a FA at that point in time paying him near max might even have been the right move. We were on the brink of a title, you don't f it up by getting cheap at that moment.

I don't recall everybody's caproom at that time obviously, but Bibby was a VERY hot commodity after that WCF.

 

[LPKingsFan]

At that point in time it was the right move. In fact if Peja had been a FA at that point in time paying him near max might even have been the right move. We were on the brink of a title, you don't f it up by getting cheap at that moment.

I don't recall everybody's caproom at that time obviously, but Bibby was a VERY hot commodity after that WCF.

Agreed. Bibby was only a few free throws/blown calls away from being the 2001-2002 Finals MVP. The WCF were the finals that year, IMO.

 

[punisher]

Re:

If I had to take my best shot, I'd say Peja won't get traded during this season ...

His personal relationship with Petrie, although quite understandably a juicy stuff for the press on this matter, is really nowhere to be found among the actual facts and serious parameters that shaped the strategy (regarding the Peja situation) the Kings surely are pursuing already...

Peja will get max money (or something near), here or in Chicago. For him, when it comes down to money, SAC or CHI, it don't matter that much. Right now it's all up to the Kings, are they prepared to offer him max contract ? That's the real question. And if not, he must be traded, otherwise the Kings will face slim chances when trying to work out any sign'n'trade deal cause then it'll be Peja's call only. And the Kings don't want to be there, with Peja making the final call about the people coming to Sac Town in return...cause that's what eventually he'll be doing.

My best guess would be all this talk was already done, not today, not yesterday, not two months ago. This road, in my view, was chosen the moment Kings decided to cut Webber off. It was back then that the big call was made, Peja was presented with a more or less hypothetical offer (strengthened in time) and right now all he's doing is behaving publicly in accordance with it. When you look at it it's pretty simple, it is a no-lose situation for him money-wise and when you ask him, he'll say he wants to stay, and I'd even say he could stay in Sacramento for money below the amount some will undoubtedly flash him with.

All the stuff being done during the last 12 months seem to point toward a pretty logical ending. He will renegotiate a new contract, and he could end up being the highest-paid player on the squad.

 

[Bballkingsrock]

I would not put say that's beyond the realm of possibility frankly. I have become increasingly concerned that just about anybody on the team might be sacrificed by Geoff to keep his Peja. (an idea I find much ickier than merely losing) He will of course have a chance to prove me wrong. But will he?

Note also -- Bonzi is also a FA at the end of the year. We could just let him walk and have our room right there. Anything for the golden boy right?

How much money would we have to spend if let go Wells and Peja?

 

[Kev.in]

I voted for "Peja will be traded by the NBA Trade Deadline" but I'm afraid that's just wishful thinking.

 

[West_Gunslinger16]

I'd like to have this guy around a bit more long. He's a real gamesaver against the best teams esp. vs. Phoenix.

 

[emded0341]

Just give him the max...he is the best player on the team, and has been one of the most underpaid players in nba for couple of years. A max is maybe more than his value but still good way to "pay him back" the money and most likely he will play better too

 

[Bricklayer]

Just give him the max...he is the best player on the team, and has been one of the most underpaid players in nba for couple of years. A max is maybe more than his value but still good way to "pay him back" the money and most likely he will play better too

You do NOT "pay players back" anymore than players come back after being opverpaid and say, oh, I'll work for the minimum now to make it up to you.

That's Peja-centric. Not Kings-centric. We are the Kings. Not the Pejas.

 

[emded0341]

after all he is playing like "old peja" again....just look away from the games just after his injury....It would be good for kings if peja stayed here

 

[emded0341]

kings need to solve the bench problem...I dont want that ANY of the starters get traded...Our bench sucks but our starting lineup is probably one of the best in nba

 

[emded0341]

Kings are 9-12 now...Of the 12 losses i would least say 6 of them are cause Kings have terrible bench...Its amazing people in here talked us having a great bench before season began...The 3 losses i would have to blame Pejas terrible playing after he injured his hand.At least he could wait till now and dont destroy it for the Kings....

If we had a great bench we would be 18-3

 

[VF21]

emded0341 - This thread isn't about the bench. It's about what people think Peja's future will be.

You really need to give it a rest. REALLY!

 

[DirkAB]

Just give him the max...he is the best player on the team, and has been one of the most underpaid players in nba for couple of years. A max is maybe more than his value but still good way to "pay him back" the money and most likely he will play better too

"pay him back"

 

[kingsfan916]

Just trade him for Artest RIGHT NOW!

 

[sactown_draftpick]

yess jus get rid of the wuss

 

[Bodiroga4C]

I hope Peja stays but if he doesnt than i hope he goes to a contender...

 

[DocHolliday]

My only problem is Peja is supposed to be one of the premier shooters in the league right?? Peja never makes the shot that Bonzi hit tonight, a player not known for his three's. Why?? Bonzi wanted it, he could taste it, he willed it. That ball touched his hands for a tenth of a second if you watch the clip. It was like he paddled it off his hand, and nothin but net. Peja isn't hungry. He doesn't have the confidence or the will. Long live Bonzi, and please bring Artest to the team.

 

[sactown_draftpick]

My only problem is Peja is supposed to be one of the premier shooters in the league right?? Peja never makes the shot that Bonzi hit tonight, a player not known for his three's. Why?? Bonzi wanted it, he could taste it, he willed it. That ball touched his hands for a tenth of a second if you watch the clip. It was like he paddled it off his hand, and nothin but net. Peja isn't hungry. He doesn't have the confidence or the will. Long live Bonzi, and please bring Artest to the team.

Well Said

 

[quick dog]

I think Peja is starting to enjoy this new team. He actually went for some rebounds against Minnesota, and stated in an interview that he wanted to be here. He does not stretch the truth.

 

[Bricklayer]

I think Peja is starting to enjoy this new team. He actually went for some rebounds against Minnesota, and stated in an interview that he wanted to be here. He does not stretch the truth.

Let's assume its true.

Does that really matter?

 

[piksi]

Let's assume its true.

Does that really matter?

It might for GP

 

[AleksandarN]

Let's assume its true.

Does that really matter?

That he enjoys his team and wants to be here. Why shouldn't it matter. Come on lets be real here it is nice to know that a soon to be free agent of our wants to be here.

 

[piksi]

That he enjoys his team and wants to be here. Why shouldn't it matter. Come on lets be real here it is nice to know that a soon to be free agent of our wants to be here.

well for people that wants him out of here - it sucks

 

[bozzwell]

Let's assume its true.

Does that really matter?

As much as I would like to agree with you - I am afraid that after we so unceremonyuosly dropped Vlade and Doug and traded Webber for pine-tar - we are not FA haven anymore. And no FA should be turned down flat out until we rebuild this franchise. Full stop.

 

[Venom]

I want him gone. Then again, I thought we should have traded him to Miami after his "MVP" season so we could draft Wade, and plenty of other trade scenarios along the way. Point being, I've always felt that he was overrated, a systems guy really.

Now, my wants, and Petrie's wants, don't always coincide. If I could bet on it, I'd say we give him a contract that is near the max before the trading deadline. I think his free agent prospects are actually quite limited. Sure, Chicago wants him and will pay him. But Peja will be expected to lead there, and Chicago is a big media market. He will absolutely wilt in Chicago, and I don't think he wants any part of that city. Miami doesn't have the cap space. Toronto would make some sense though.

 

[bozzwell]

I want him gone. Then again, I thought we should have traded him to Miami after his "MVP" season so we could draft Wade, and plenty of other trade scenarios along the way. Point being, I've always felt that he was overrated, a systems guy really.

Now, my wants, and Petrie's wants, don't always coincide. If I could bet on it, I'd say we give him a contract that is near the max before the trading deadline. I think his free agent prospects are actually quite limited. Sure, Chicago wants him and will pay him. But Peja will be expected to lead there, and Chicago is a big media market. He will absolutely wilt in Chicago, and I don't think he wants any part of that city. Miami doesn't have the cap space. Toronto would make some sense though.

Forgive me, but do you still have that post (about Wade)? I thought Wade would be good out of Marquette and I knew that Bulls loved him, but I don't know that anybody (including Riley) knew exactly how good (Jordanesque) he would be.

As for Pedja in Chicago: You will love this - they (Bulls fans and radio hosts on post game show) are perfectly happy with Songaila being soft as mush, because he makes his mid-range shots. They would positively slobber over Pedja's shooting on most nights. Especially since it is hardworking team with big guy's (Chandler) only job on offence being giving up his body for the shooter. In Chicago, it is not a bad thing to be soft as Charmin as long as you make your shots at the clip above .400. It's a treat. Having said that, Heinrich and Duhon are leaders of this team and Pedja would never be brought in for leadership (Good God!).

 

[VF21]

If the starters continue to play decent ball, I would much rather see Peja stay than go. But we have to do something about the bench...

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

If the starters continue to play decent ball, I would much rather see Peja stay than go. But we have to do something about the bench...

We'll agree to disagree on this one

 

[ParniValjak]

Pedja will not walk.

Will he stay - "show me the money"

Pedja will stay if Kings want him to stay - very simple.

Is he going to be King bext season - ask me in a month and I might know more

Well said