Possible Lakers defensive stopper?
By Marc Stein
The Toronto Raptors and Peja Stojakovic are close to completing a buyout that will put the former All-Star sharpshooter on the open market, according to sources close to the situation.
The deal is expected to be completed later Thursday, sources said.
The Raptors publicly acknowledged almost immediately after acquiring Stojakovic from New Orleans that a buyout would considered if no follow-up trade could be swung. But the Raptors, reluctant take on long-term salary, were unlikely to find a workable trade, with Stojakovic earning $15 million in the final season of an original five-year deal he signed with the Hornets in the summer of 2006.
Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com that Stojakovic is determined to return to the Western Conference and join a playoff contender once he clear waivers and becomes a free agent, with three teams at the top of his list: Dallas, New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Mavericks, sources say, are considered the favorite to land Stojakovic. They have minutes to offer at small forward and a well-chronicled need for perimeter shooting. And joining the Mavericks would enable Stojakovic to live within short flying distance of his wife and children, who remained in New Orleans after he was dealt to the Raptors.
Both the Mavericks and the Lakers have a need on the wing thanks to injuries, with Dallas losing Caron Butler to a season-ending knee tear and the Lakers losing newcomer Matt Barnes for two months to a knee injury.
Stojakovic made three All-Star appearances as a member of the Sacramento Kings and sports a career success rate of 40.1 percent from 3-point range. He's been plagued by knee trouble this season and has only appeared in two games for the Raptors, but he did leave an impression on the Mavericks by scoring 17 points in 19 minutes in Dallas on Nov. 15, just days before New Orleans sent the 33-year-old and Jerryd Bayless to Toronto for Jarrett Jack, Marcus Banks and David Andersen.
Stojakovic forfeited roughly $440,000 from a trade bonus in his contract to make the salary-cap math work in the deal that sent him to Toronto.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6041580
as in he'll help the Lakers to stop playing defense?
ill take him definitely. dude can shoot his ass off, and the spacing he would provide for the starting unit would be amazingly useful
Precisely.
Although you, I don't want the Mavs taking another former Hornet.
send him to the Lakers, they need all the help they can get right now, they have a sad bench
what does Peja bring that Pavlovic doesnt?
maybe he can resurrect his career somewhere but he just seems like finley was in his last season at this point. in other words, not worth much at all.
size. better shooting. maturity.
Lol, yea Peja can be a player/coach off the bench.![]()
I think those are all pretty close
I wouldn't really say Peja uses his "size" or "maturity" very well.
I was under the impression that the Mavs needed a second option who was tough, could play defense, and deliver in the playoffs. pretty much the anti-Peja
Hey Chris Hansen, remember that time you busted midnightpulp for soliciting under aged teens on your series "To Catch a Predator?"
Well he's out again... keep an eye on this psycho.
TBH, at this stage in Peja's career, he isn't an upgrade over Pavolic. Guy can't even move anymore, not that he was a speed demon to begin with.
Stojakovic in the purple & gold would make sense, seeing that he was a major contributor to LA's 2002 le.
I think Peja goes to Dallas.
It's immature to have sex with porn stars?
no one is saying Peja would be the second option, dumbass.
Of course.
Sex is only allowed with wives...be it your own, or someone else's...
peja is a guy who would bring a needed tool to the mavericks, which is shooting and scoring ability. he wouldn't be relied upon for a whole lot more than that, much like the Bulls didnt rely on Steve Kerr for much more than shooting, or Dennis Rodman for much more than hustle and defense. he is simply upgrading one need on the team, not being asked to be Dirks #2.
If yall get Peja I would gladly take Pavlovic Lakers cant win a le without a "sasha"
Sign with the Heat.
Mike Miller and Peja should give Joel Anthony, Juwan Howard & Dampier, all the space they need down low.
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