Shooting for Shooting Stojakovic

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Indianapolis Star - Pacers forward Peja Stojakovic, acquired in the January trade for Ron Artest, said on Tuesday that he will opt out of his contract after the season, becoming an unrestricted free agent.

"I have the option to do it, so that's something I'm probably going to do," he said before the game at Chicago.

Stojakovic is scheduled to make $8.2 million next season, according to the Indianapolis Star. Pacers president Larry Bird said in January that the team wants to keep Stojakovic beyond this season.

"I've been after this kid for two years and I don't want him to be here for two weeks. . . . Hopefully he'll be in a Pacer uniform for a long time to come," Bird said during the news conference to introduce Stojakovic.

Stojakovic is averaging 19.0 points and making 39 percent of his 3-pointers in 31 games with the Pacers.

Stojakovic said he's interested in remaining with the Pacers.

"I said from the beginning that the Pacers are a great organization," he said. "(CEO) Donnie (Walsh) and Larry are great people. I believe this team has the potential." [READ]</div>

I don't know if we have one for Peja already, and I know it says that he is interested in staying with the Pacers, but he IS a free agent in the summer so what are your thoughts?

 

I'm not exactly sure how he would fit in our team though. He is tall, can rebound, and shoot the ball though..

 

I hope that we can get him, but we will most likely have to give up Odom in a sign and trade because we only have the MLE (around 5 million) to sign players. I would not want to give up Odom for only Peja, so it is unlikely that a deal would be done so that we can get Peja. However, the thought of Peja, Odom, and Kobe seems intriguing. Peja would shoot the lights out of every team that doubles Kobe and Odom could serve as a role player that occasionally scores. Just hope that Mihm will be enough to get Peja!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brok3n:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not exactly sure how he would fit in our team though. He is tall, can rebound, and shoot the ball though..</div>

Do you mean can't rebound? He is 6'11 and is only averaging like 5 rebounds per game. (less than Kobe, who's 6'6) Peja would fit in as a shooter at the small forward. We would have Kwame at center (shown that he can star at the center position recently), Odom at power forward (more points), Peja at small (normal position), Kobe at shooting guard, and Smush (or Dee Brown, whom I'm hoping will fall down to the Lakers' pick) at point guard. Whenever Kobe is double-teamed, Peja, Odom, or Smush would be open for a shot. Peja will average around 25 ppg, and Odom and Smush's scoring will also increase because they will have more room.

 

Like Prophecy said, once we get Peja, we could be deadly, but with only the MLE, we won't be able to get him unless the Peja expressesstrong interest in joining the Lakers and demands a sign and trade here.

We might be able to get Reggie Evans or Speedy Claxton though. Who knows what Mitch can think of?

 

Odom for Peja? NO!? What a terrible trade. Odom can go for a triple double on any given night, his passing is great for a big man, can shoot the 3, rebound, AND compliment Kobe in every way possible. Sure lets give it up for Peja who can only shoot......

Let Peja go, keep Odom, look for solid players in FA ,or trade, is what I say. What the Lakers need is a good PG, and PF

 

There are three ways in which Peja can fit into our team.

Option 1: Lamar moves to the point, taking the inititor role and Peja moves to the SF spot.

Option 2: Move Lamar to the PF spot and Peja into the SF spot.

Option 3: Peja comes off the bench.


I wouldn't mind Option 1. We have troubles with the PG's on D. Lamar can compete with the faster PG's and he could use his size to change shots. This will be effective against the shoot first PG's.

I'm against Option 2. Kwame Brown changes alot of shots against the opposition, most notably the likes of Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Lamar was undersized last season in that spot.

I don't mind Option 3. We need a shooter coming off the bench and it would give Lamar a rest. I doubt Peja will want to be a bench player.

Peja wanted to sign back with The Kings but I doubt they want him back now with the success of Artest.

 

We need Kirilenko !!

 

Peja would be intresting in LA, but i wouldn't give up Odom. Like Kobe said, we need one or two more good players from being a championship contender.

 

There is no "d" in Stojacovic, or Peja for that matter. Our main priority should be to get our hands on KG, and after that; look for a big star or big trade in 2007/2008

 

yeah, im not agaisnt the idea of getting peja. i would love him in a sign and trade as long as we dont trade away bynum, kwame, or odom. with peja on our team, he will be able to stretch defenses and we will be a very dangerous offensive team. i think he will turn back into his old form when he was in sacto because of all the weapons we will have. like shape said, its all about the price

 

Ok I am really confused! He's opting out. Doesnt that mean he's a free agent? Whats all this talk about trades and stuff.

 

Noway, getting a an ex-Sacramento Queen player is a bad idea. Biggest example: Vlade Divac

He doesn't play defense, and he's playing the SF which Odom is playing right now. Phil doesn't like the idea of playing Odom at the PF for majority of times. The only way I would get this guy is Mihm + Sasha + 2006 draft pick. Nothing less, nothing more! If the Pacers don't want that deal, then sorry. Plain and simple!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I'd be down to work a sign and trade for Peja if Indiana is willing to dump him for cheap talent and our pick.
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What? you think Donnie Walsh - who wouldn't give Mitch Artest for the Lakers scrub players - would NOW do it for the guy he traded Artest to get? that's not happening. I'm not sure Peja is worth Odom, but then again I'm even less sure Odom is worth keeping.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">
PG - Odom - 6'10
SG - Kobe - 6'6
SF - Peja - 6'10
PF - Turiaf - 6'10
C - Brown - 7'0

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id love that lineup. teams would have tons of trouble matching up to us. too bad mitch is our gm........

 

Hmmm Lamar at PG? I think that would be good on offense but bad on defense. Lamar is fast for his size but not fast enough to keep up with faster PG's like Francis, Marbury, J. Nelson, Alston, etc.