<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It appears that the first two shocks in NBA free agency will emanate from Serbia. Indiana forward Peja Stojakovic, widely considered a lock to re-sign with the Pacers, is on the verge of a jump to the upstart New Orleans Hornets, ESPN.com has learned. NBA front-office sources indicate that the Hornets are offering Stojakovic a five-year deal in the $60 million range. Sources also tell ESPN.com that the Los Angeles Lakers are close to swiping a player from their co-tenants in the Staples Center, but it's not Clippers guard Sam Cassell. The Lakers, sources said, were inching closer Saturday night to a verbal agreement with Clippers sharpshooter Vladimir Radmanovic on a five-year deal starting at the $5 million mid-level exception and worth in excess of $30 million. The Hornets have never been known as offseason spenders with George Shinn in charge, but the owner has hinted recently that he was chasing "a big-name free agent," and his club does possess two crucial advantages in their bid to tempt Stojakovic away from the Pacers -- more than $15 million in available salary-cap space and a coach who knows the player well. Byron Scott, who received a three-year contract extension from the Hornets earlier this week, played against Stojakovic in Greece before the 29-year-old made the jump to the NBA in 1999 and later worked with him in Sacramento as a Kings assistant coach. The Lakers' cause is also undoubtedly helped by a Serbian connection in attempting to convince Radmanovic to switch locker rooms at Staples. Serbian legend Vlade Divac, a former national-team colleague of Stojakovic and Radmanovic and now a member of the Lakers' front office, can explain to Radmanovic better than anyone how badly they need a dependable shooter to help space the floor for Kobe Bryant. Divac has been hoping to bring Stojakovic to the Lakers ever since leaving Sacramento in the summer of 2004, but that would require a complicated sign-and-trade arrangement because L.A. can't offer more than the $5 million mid-level exception. Radmanovic, like Stojakovic a 6-foot-10 perimeter specialist, is a more realistic mid-level target after averaging 10.7 points (on 41.8 percent shooting from 3-point range) and 5.7 rebounds in 30 games with the Clippers. The Clips, craving a big forward who could stretch the floor for Elton Brand, dealt Chris Wilcox to Seattle on Feb. 14 for Radmanovic. The Clippers, according to NBA front-office sources, are now expected to reach a verbal agreement with Phoenix Suns forward Tim Thomas to replace Radmanovic. Re-signing Cassell and Radmanovic were the Clippers' top two offseason priorities and Cassell, in an ESPNEWS appearance Saturday, indicated that the Clips still have the inside track on retaining the 36-year-old point guard. "It's looking pretty good for them," said Cassell, who recently hired high-powered NBA agent David Falk to secure him a two-year deal. Stojakovic averaged 19.5 points and 6.2 rebounds in 40 games with Indiana after the Kings sent him to the Pacers on Jan. 25 in exchange for the mercurial Ron Artest. But a knee problem limited Stojakovic to two games in the Pacers' six-game, first-round series with New Jersey, and his departure would leave Indiana without anything to show for the Artest trade. NBA signings and trades can't advance past the stage of verbal agreement until July 12. </div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2507013
The Hornets just locked themselves up a playoff spot next season. This has been a team who has quickly rebuilt it’s entire franchise since acquiring Chris Paul. Chris Paul has changed the attitude surrounding this franchise, and made players actually want to be Hornets. With the offense that Paul, Mason, West, and Peja will provide next season along with the two rookie big men Armstrong and Simmons I fully expect the Hornets to make a playoff birth.
Yeah. Nice pickup for the Hornets. With West, PJ Brown and those two draft picks down low, Peja will be a fitting addition. If the Hornets re-sign Speedy, they can be one of the top 5 teams in the west.
I don't think Peja is worth that much in this part of his career. But, a great pick up by the Hornets. Paul will get more assists, and Peja will score points.
man today was a good day for signings.well hornets are gonna be great they got reja a replacement over rasual butler. good move.
Peja is a good pickup if he can play like he did in his Sacramento Days, if he's the Pacers Peja, I wouldnt want any part of him for a deal like that. I think he can be a good player for the Hornets because of the great young core they have.
Did I read that right, 5 year, $6Million for Peja? Expensive signing, and kudos to his agent for getting him that type of money. Peja is a nice addition to the Hornets and gives them a chance at making the playoffs next season. The Western Conference is going to be even more competitive next year with the Hornets and Rockets back in the mix.
Hmm..very intersting. I kinda had thought that the Hornets had planned to have West as the SF somewhere midway through the season, with either Simmons and Armstrong starting with PJ. Peja will definitely help the team, but 60 million? Thats a lot of cash for a guy that hasn't planed that well (in his standards) in the past 2 seasons. I expect something like Bobby Simmons money. I'm releaved as a Raps fans, with CV gone, I though BC might be targeting Peja. Asides from the Raps, This is the only team he'd get this kind of money from, with the Bulls, Bobcats and Hawks all set at SF. For the Pacers, I think this works out well because Granger really needs to get starter minutes. Though, with Peja gone, they need Jackson to step up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Did I read that right, 5 year, $6Million for Peja? Expensive signing, and kudos to his agent for getting him that type of money. Peja is a nice addition to the Hornets and gives them a chance at making the playoffs next season. The Western Conference is going to be even more competitive next year with the Hornets and Rockets back in the mix.</div> We're definatly not back in anything, as far as Houston. We still have a team full of "Jeff Van Gundy" type players who will make ur all defensive team but won't give you any offense. The Hornets are going to be nasty next year, the Rockets better hurry up and get some firepower.
ok guys, uhh why are you all saying good pick up for the Hornets?? He hasn't even been officially signed yet. Well at least according to this article it just states that the Hornets made an offer....
I think 60 mill over 5 years is too much for Peja... especially because he has seemed to have been crashing and burning during the playoffs.
I know, it said they're offering him that. Peja isn't that much of a player IMO. I've watched him as a King for several years, he's always has been inconsistent, and can sometimes shoot you out of games. He crumbles under pressure and isn't worth the money. I really think this is an overrated signing if they do get him and they lose Rasual Butler for sure and some of the best D they had. Peja is only a shooter, no better than Vlad Radmanovic.
I think the contract is a bit much for Peja, seeing as how all he does is stand back and take jumpers. He doesn't play defense at all, but, that's beyond the point. The point is that this is a good signing by the Hornets. He gives them someone that can really stretch the defense with his range, and with Chris Paul as his set-up man, he's really going to thrive. I think playing alongside of someone like Chris Paul gives Peja the chance to have one of his best years as a pro in this league. In general, it's a great signing. It gives them a three point shooter, something they were lacking, and it gives them at worst a number two option in scoring, and depending if his shot is on next year, he could easily be the top option on this team. Regardless, this signing should give them what they need to make a playoff push next year.
This is officially the best Division in the league. Great Pick-up fellas. Cant wait for the up coming battles.
It was a really good signing by the Hornets. I`ll be shocked if they don`t make it next year. Jeez, didn`t take Peja long on the market...
Way too much money for peja! he cant defend, run, or create his own shot. he is a rich mans wally world. both are very overpaid imo. peja is just a perfect role player. he shouldnt be getting superstar bucks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Remedy:</div><div class="quote_post">ok guys, uhh why are you all saying good pick up for the Hornets?? He hasn't even been officially signed yet. Well at least according to this article it just states that the Hornets made an offer....</div> This article says that but sense they offered him so much money everyone believes he is a lock for the Hornets. If you read todays news it says that Peja and the Hornets have came to an agreement.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">We're definatly not back in anything, as far as Houston. We still have a team full of "Jeff Van Gundy" type players who will make ur all defensive team but won't give you any offense. The Hornets are going to be nasty next year, the Rockets better hurry up and get some firepower.</div> How do you figure Houston isn't? Last year most people had Houston being a top 4 team in the Western Conference. If they weren't dessimated by injuries, I have to believe they would have been one of the 8 teams in the playoffs. You're really underestimating everything Shane Battier is going to bring to Houston. He compliments the TMac-Yao duo and is one of the few productive two-way players in the league.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">We're definatly not back in anything, as far as Houston. We still have a team full of "Jeff Van Gundy" type players who will make ur all defensive team but won't give you any offense. The Hornets are going to be nasty next year, the Rockets better hurry up and get some firepower.</div> Wrong. Houston will be in the mix next season. A healthy Yao and TMac will do that with any team. Throw in Alston and some nice shooting depth such as Novak and Battier (also a strong defender) and Head. If we re-sign Mike James (which is looking possible with each passing day) and then get a backup big with our TE or so (like Kelvin Cato or somebody) we'll be alright.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock4life:</div><div class="quote_post">We're definatly not back in anything, as far as Houston. We still have a team full of "Jeff Van Gundy" type players who will make ur all defensive team but won't give you any offense. The Hornets are going to be nasty next year, the Rockets better hurry up and get some firepower.</div> Huh? Shane Battier unlike the Ryan Bowen's can actually score, and is also a superior defender. As long as you guys are healthy, you should be a Top team in the West. I like this move for the Hornets as long as Peja can stay on the court, and play like he did back in 03-04. With them also signing Bobby Jackson, they now have some nice shooters around Paul. Their lineup will be something like this: PG: Chris Paul | Bobby Jackson SG: Kirk Snyder | Desmond Mason | JR Smith | Bobby Jackson SF: Peja Stojakovic | Desmond Mason | JR Smith PF: David West | Marc Jackson |Cedric Simmons C: PJ Brown | Marc Jackson | Hilton Armstrong I put JR Smith at the ends because no one is really happy in that situation, neither him or the team, and it seems like a matter of time before he get's moved.
