Peja wants out of Sac Town BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) -- Peja Stojakovic wants out of Sacramento. Stojakovic said Thursday he told Kings general manager Geoff Petrie he wants to be traded from the only NBA team he has played for. "I think the change would be good for the team and for myself," Stojakovic told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "That's the only explanation you're going to get from me." Petrie did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Stojakovic, a three-time All-Star and the NBA's second-leading scorer last season, has been with the Kings since entering the league in 1998. He was upset that the Kings lost countryman Vlade Divac to the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent and feels it's time to move on. The Kings were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season, losing in seven games to the Minnesota Timberwolves. "You could see this year, late in the year, we didn't have good chemistry and didn't play good basketball," Stojakovic said. "I just think that the team had their chances, and opportunities are closing, and the team needs new players. "I'm probably one of the easiest players to trade, and I'm willing to go." Stojakovic, one of the game's best pure shooters, has two years remaining on his contract plus an option for a third year. He has been one of the most popular players in Kings history, with such a loyal following in his home country that the Kings are easily the most popular NBA team in Serbia-Montenegro. Stojakovic was in Belgrade on Thursday for a promotional appearance ahead of his country's exhibition game Friday against the U.S. Olympic basketball team. He is not playing for his nation this summer. His trade request was unexpected. "I just think it would be good for them and myself. Sacramento is great, but I think I need a change," Stojakovic said. He said he doesn't have a preference about where he's dealt, adding that he had been thinking about asking for a trade all summer. Stojakovic isn't sure what he would do if the Kings don't move him. "You would rather have somebody [who is] happy. He [Petrie] can get something good in return for me," said Stojakovic, who averaged 24.2 points and 6.3 rebounds last season. Sacramento went to the Western Conference finals in 2002, but has been knocked out in the second round each of the past two years. The Kings floundered late last season following Chris Webber's return from knee surgery, losing six of their final nine regular-season games. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/08/05/bc.bkn.kings.stojakovic.ap/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/08/05/bc.bkn.kings.stojakovic.ap/index.html Predrag Stojakovic have 3 yrs left, I wish Rox make a run to get him w/o giving up Yao and T-Mac $6,975,000 (04-05) $7,600,000 (05-06) $8,225,000 (06-07) BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro (AP) -- Peja Stojakovic wants out of Sacramento. Stojakovic said Thursday he told Kings general manager Geoff Petrie he wants to be traded from the only NBA team he has played for. "I think the change would be good for the team and for myself," Stojakovic told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "That's the only explanation you're going to get from me." Petrie did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Stojakovic, a three-time All-Star and the NBA's second-leading scorer last season, has been with the Kings since entering the league in 1998. He was upset that the Kings lost countryman Vlade Divac to the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent and feels it's time to move on. The Kings were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season, losing in seven games to the Minnesota Timberwolves. "You could see this year, late in the year, we didn't have good chemistry and didn't play good basketball," Stojakovic said. "I just think that the team had their chances, and opportunities are closing, and the team needs new players. "I'm probably one of the easiest players to trade, and I'm willing to go." Stojakovic, one of the game's best pure shooters, has two years remaining on his contract plus an option for a third year. He has been one of the most popular players in Kings history, with such a loyal following in his home country that the Kings are easily the most popular NBA team in Serbia-Montenegro. Stojakovic was in Belgrade on Thursday for a promotional appearance ahead of his country's exhibition game Friday against the U.S. Olympic basketball team. He is not playing for his nation this summer. His trade request was unexpected. "I just think it would be good for them and myself. Sacramento is great, but I think I need a change," Stojakovic said. He said he doesn't have a preference about where he's dealt, adding that he had been thinking about asking for a trade all summer. Stojakovic isn't sure what he would do if the Kings don't move him. "You would rather have somebody [who is] happy. He [Petrie] can get something good in return for me," said Stojakovic, who averaged 24.2 points and 6.3 rebounds last season. Sacramento went to the Western Conference finals in 2002, but has been knocked out in the second round each of the past two years. The Kings floundered late last season following Chris Webber's return from knee surgery, losing six of their final nine regular-season games.
Why doesn't every team just put their star player in a league-wide draft? That should make everyone happy.
damn the Kings would be spewing... gotta wonder whether Peja would have got them in the McGrady sweepstakes earlier SJC - you would think it is do with either Divac leaving or being the man instead of CWebb
True...maybe both? Too bad we don't really have anything to offer for him...he would be GREAT with Yao Ming...
Houston trades: PF Maurice Taylor (11.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.4 apg in 27.8 minutes) SF Eric Piatkowski (4.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.5 apg in 14.3 minutes) SF Bostjan Nachbar (3.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.7 apg in 11.5 minutes) SG Adrian Griffin (0.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.5 apg in 7.0 minutes) Houston receives: SG Doug Christie (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg in 33.9 minutes) SG Peja Stojakovic (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg in 33.9 minutes) Change in team outlook: -9.2 ppg, -5.2 rpg, and +1.1 apg. Sacramento trades: SG Doug Christie (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg in 33.9 minutes) SG Peja Stojakovic (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.2 apg in 33.9 minutes) Sacramento receives: SF Eric Piatkowski (4.1 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.5 apg in 49 games) SF Bostjan Nachbar (3.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 0.7 apg in 45 games) SG Adrian Griffin (0.6 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.5 apg in 19 games) Change in team outlook: -2.3 ppg, +0.1 rpg, and -2.5 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED Due to Houston and Sacramento being over the cap, the 15% trade rule is invoked. Houston and Sacramento had to be no more than 115% plus $100,000 of the salary given out for the trade to be accepted, which did happen here. This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Wow. I guess a lot of teams can use the league's best shooter. Kings needed help at 2. Ray Allen, Vince Carter come to mind. Sonics could throw both Allen and Rashard+James at Kings, and Kings could unload both Webber and Peja.
the rumors from the press are that Stojakovic is no longer getting along with Webber after being criticized by him in an underhanded manner.
I think Peja hates CWebb, so that'd be funny if they got dealt together. I wonder if the Mad Scientist Cuban will go after Peja. Would the Kings do Peja and Ricky Minard for Stackhouse and Josh Howard? I think that's a pretty good deal for them. Cuban could then turn around and still get Kidd for Terry and Laettner. I think he'll do everything in his power to have starting forwards of Dirk and Peja. That'd be pretty insane.
Stojakovic wants out of Sacramento You guy's know i only post when it's something good and for real cbssportsline is the spot to go if you want to read about it he doesnt like the fact they lost Vlade Divoc so he want's out.
Ummm, I'll be reasonable and offer a white shooter for a white shooter. TE plus Piatkowski for Peja. The scary thing? That trade would not improve the Rockets, given that Peja would probably NOT be happy about being the 3rd option.
Not sure if we have a sporting chance at Peja. I bet we won't be able to afford him. However, he'd make an excellent power forward. He used to torch Kelvin Cato. He'd fit well in the system as a pure shooter. If Boki developed his shooting, then no matter what the rotation, it'd be a bonus for the Rockets at the PF position. But it's all a dream....after all, what would the Kings want from us in a trade?
