My friend just called and told me he was watching the Orlando-Sacramento game (he is a die hard Magic fan). The announcers said there are alot of rumors about Peja and teams interested were the Rockets, Wolves, and Heat. Did anyone else hear that? P.S he is sitting out tonight with back problems. Its probably just one of the thousand rumors floating around about us.
He's an UFA after the season. The Kings will get very little for him now that his back is an issue. In hindsight, they should have made the Artest trade when they (supposedly) had the chance. Peja's value has fallen like a stone this year, but some desperate teams will still open the vault to him. It's hard to believe he was thought to be one of the most promising young players in the NBA at one time.
Also, I have the impression that his defense is pretty weak (as for most of the players on Kings). If so, can JVG tolerate it? Or maybe Rockets are too desperate at this point?
They'd have to give him away. Free agent. Injured. No defense. Doesn't rebound. Can't create his own shot. I can't think of anything we have and that they would want that I'd be willing to exchange for him. Not Luther, not our draft pick, nothing.
Not even close. You'd rather have an oft injured playoff choker then a lock down defender who can also score?
Sorry to be blunt, but Peja is softer than tissue paper in the playoffs, ya can't even use him to wipe the ***.
Peja can hit an open jumpshot. That is enough to make him the 3rd best player on this team. I would be fine with him as our 4 in place of Howard, or at the 3 pushing TMac to the 2 and Wesley to Sacto (Wells is injured and on the last year of his contract). It isn't like Howard is some great defender that is locking down the paint. Peja is a decent rebounder for a swingman, but his value is in his shooting. All of those wide open threes that are missed by Alston, Head, Wesley, et al would be drained by Stojakovic. If we can get him for Howard(or Wesley) and Moochie, or something along those lines, we have to do it. We should have no problem holding onto him next season with Yao and TMac on the team.
Actually, at their respective percentages this season, Peja would only hit ~4 more three pointers per 100 attempts than Alston/Head/Wesley already are.
Peja would thrive in our inside-outside game plan. the amount of open looks he will get because of tracy and yao is only get his confidence up. peja is struggling because in motion offense needs him to creat his own shot or be creative with the ball. he needs someone to create open looks for him. i think with the rockets he will be deadly.
