http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/411...mes_free_agent/<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Indianapolis Star - As expected, guard Peja Stojakovic opted out of his contract with the Pacers today, and is now an unrestricted free agent. The free agent negotiating period begins July 1, and teams can start signing players July 12. Pacers officials have said they want to re-sign Stojakovic, according to the Indianapolis Star. "We are going to see what's out there and listen to what other teams have to say, but Peja is the Pacers to lose," Stojakovic's agent, David Bauman, said. "The contract he signed before was done as a restricted free agent, so he didn't really get a chance to test the market." Stojakovic, 29, who made $7.6 million this past season, hopes to get a raise and lock in a long-term contract. The Pacers can sign him for up to six years, while other teams can only sign him to a five-year deal. "Anyone that says it's not about money is a liar," Bauman said. "Peja is going to get his big contract. Peja likes the Pacers because they have a base to build off. . . . Peja is a guy that can give a lot more than what he showed last year."</div>He feels he can get more money elsewhere, and he probably can. But where? I think Indiana was a great fit for him, but oh well. Who do you guys look at as his possible suiters?
The Hawks could use another SF. Honestly, I have no clue where this guy could fit in with any other team. He's not really in his early 2000s Sacramento version anymore, he might even be used as a shooter off the bench since his numbers are somewhat declining.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>He feels he can get more money elsewhere, and he probably can.</div> He can make the most with the Pacers. And I'm betting he sticks with the Pacers, him opting out isn't a surprize. Article even states he has to opt out to get more money, I think everyone knew before the offseason began that he would opt out.
Rok - true. And now that I think about it, where else could he get more money? I mean all the teams with cap space are definitely going to try and at least make a run at Iverson/KG before they even think about Peja, he doesn't really fit in too many places especially for the price he wants. I don't know. Hopefully he ends up in Indy because I feel it's a good situation for him.
A place he would be able to fit into, that has alot of cap space could be the Bobcats. They need someone that can stretch the defense with their three point shot, to create room Okafor down low. I can think of no one better on the market than Peja. That being said, they are a young franchise, and probably do not want to put alot of money into Peja.
I have heard so much sh*t about him liking it in Indy, and i don't really know who else could use a a nice perimeter shooter, maybe the Rockets? But i doubt they have the money. I think he'll stay.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wade3 @ Jun 27 2006, 07:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think that he will be playing with the Pacers or the Lakers. Yes, The Lakers maybe.</div>The Lakers have Lamar Odom who plays the SF position... :happy0144:
The most logical thing for Peja to do would be to stay in Indiana. They have been unfortunate over the last couple of years so nobody really knows what they are capable of doing. With a fully healthy roster, they are a top 4-5 team in the east.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Jun 27 2006, 12:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>They have been unfortunate over the last couple of years so nobody really knows what they are capable of doing. With a fully healthy roster, they are a top 4-5 team in the east.</div>This seems to be the story of the Indiana Pacers every year. Everyone raves at the beginning of, what seems like every season, about how the Pacers are a top team and a team to worry about . Then they have injuries, or something through out the year, and at the end everyone says "if they weren't so unlucky" or "this team had alot of freak accident circumstances."
Yea I new that they wouldn't resign him. But the only thing I dont udnerstand is why the pacers got him. I no that they needed to trade Artest but they could of got soemone else stead of PejaBut I think the Nuggets might get him, they need a three point shooter.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (wankster @ Jun 27 2006, 03:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>This was very unexpected. I thought the Suns would keep him after his great season. But I thinkthe Bobcats might pick him up.</div>What?
Oh sh*t wow. I messed up lol. I was thikning Raja for some reason. Im gonna edit my post now.Sorry btw lol.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>(zards @ Today, 09:15 AM)The Lakers have Lamar Odom who plays the SF position... :happy0144:</div>well even though Lamar Odom's "real" position is SF he hasnt been playing that position all that much,the lakers linuep after the all-star break went like thisC Kwame BrownPF Lamar OdomSF Luke WaltonSG Kobe BryantPG Smush Parkerso with odom at power forward peja would definetly be an upgrade to walton but i doubt he will sign with LA from what i hear hes doin fine in indy but he likes the lakers also because vlade divac is a lakers scout and peja is close friends with vlade so yea i wouldnt mind haveing peja but would vlade's presense really make peja take a pay cut for 5 million..paycut lol but really i dont think that wil cut it unless he wants to play for phil jackson or something along those lines
I'm not sure of this, but imagine if the Lakers had the cap to go after Peja and Mike James?- James- Kobe- Peja- Odom- MihmThat's a line-up where everyone but Mihm can hit the three, and everyone can hit the 15 footer. With Kobe driving and kicking-out, that's be scary
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart @ Jun 27 2006, 05:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm not sure of this, but imagine if the Lakers had the cap to go after Peja and Mike James?- James- Kobe- Peja- Odom- MihmThat's a line-up where everyone but Mihm can hit the three, and everyone can hit the 15 footer. With Kobe driving and kicking-out, that's be scary</div>They won't have the money for both, plus they apparently already are set to sign Marcus Banks for 4 years.
Marcus Banks is yet another Smush Parker. A slasher who can't shoot well or defend on a consistent basis. What the Laker management is doing no one knows
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart @ Jun 27 2006, 05:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Marcus Banks is yet another Smush Parker. A slasher who can't shoot well or defend on a consistent basis. What the Laker management is doing no one knows</div>Have you ever watched Marcus defend? Are you kidding? He is an exceptional defender, and that's one of the strong points of his game. His speed/quickness, penetration, and his lock-down defense. The jumper is improving a lot as well. But again, his defense is far better than 80-85% of PG's in the NBA.
