Peja wants out.....

[Lurker]

Stojakovic seeks trade
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 4:55 pm PDT Thursday, August 5, 2004

[Updated 7:02 p.m.] Three-time all-star small forward Peja Stojakovic believes it is time for a change, and has asked the Kings to trade him.
Stojakovic, the NBA's second-leading scorer, met with Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie on July 23 and informed him he wanted to be traded.

Stojakovic, who was in Belgrade, Serbia-Montenegro, on Thursday at a promotional appearance, refused to explain why he felt he needed to be traded.
 
 "I just think that the team had their chances," said Stojakovic of the Kings, for whom he averaged a career-high 24.2 points per game last season, "and the opportunities are closing. I talked to Geoff. I told him I just think it needs to happen. I just think it would be good for them and for myself, with all due respect. Sacramento is great, but I think I need a change."
Stojakovic's agent, David Bauman, said he knew the Kings would not have a fire sale involving his client, but believed the team could possibly make a deal.

"We know he's got two years left on his contract," said Bauman, who also is in Serbia-Montenegro, of Stojakovic. "But I believe the (Indiana) Pacers inquired about something with Peja and (Ron) Artest in June and that was quickly shot down by the Kings."

Said Stojakovic, "I'm probably one of the easiest players to trade, and I'm willing to go."

Petrie said he would not divulge the specifics of his conversation with Stojakovic. However, the idea of trading the small forward was not high on his list.

"He's probably one of the last guys I'd want to trade," Petrie said. "He's flourished here and the team has done extremely well. He's been a big part of that, too, and I have a lot of respect for the guy.

"It's too speculative to make a prediction about what will happen. It's one of those things where you don't know how it's going to go. I do know I'm going to go on vacation soon for the better part of the rest of the month.

Neither Stojakovic nor Bauman attributed this trade request to comments made after the season by Kings power forward Chris Webber.

"He's not requesting a trade because of anything Chris Webber did or said," Bauman said. "He has no problem with the Maloofs, Geoff, Rick Adelman or anybody there. This has a lot to do with (veteran center) Vlade (Divac) being gone."

Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said he had no interest in trading Stojakovic, who was drafted by Petrie in 1996 while playing in Greece and eventually came to Sacramento in 1998. Maloof did indicate he was concerned by his player's request.

"Oh, of course," Maloof said. "Anytime you have your best player, one of your best players who is asking for a trade, you're concerned. We want to get this back on a positive track. We want to talk to Peja and get this straightened out. We want to get him to understand that we've still got unfinished business here. We're not interested at all in trading him. That's the furthest thing from our minds."

 

[westkoast]

Actually I think it has more to do with the fact that he realizes with Chris "Im so hood, I cant help it" Webber being the selfish focal point of the team that they will not be as good as they were.  That is unless he is more UNselfish, then this team can return to form.  The Peja/Webber inside-out combination is one of the very best in the league when they play THEIR real style of play.  After Webber returned last year I dont see how he could be any more selfish than he was.  If Peja leaves then the Kings will be battling the Lakers for the 8th seed.

Btw JoMaL, what goes around comes around.  You got your giggles after the Laker ordeal, so when Peja leaves expect the same from myself or WoW

[spursfan101]

Just HAND the title over to the Midwest Division why don't you. :cheers:  

[Lurker]

Just HAND the title over to the Midwest Division why don't you. :cheers:

Uh....there has to BE a Midwest division first. :rofl:  

[Derek Bodner]

Kings are in the Pacific division

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings

[spursfan101]

:crazy: forgot about the changeover. It's going to be wierd.

[Reality]

"He's not requesting a trade because of anything Chris Webber did or said," Bauman said. "He has no problem with the Maloofs, Geoff, Rick Adelman or anybody there. This has a lot to do with (veteran center) Vlade (Divac) being gone."

 

Glad we got that cleared up.  :bs:  

[JoMal]

First off, Peja made the trade request to Petrie on July 23rd. Webber's "interview"/ramble babble came out on Sunday, July 31st and was conducted just the week before. Unless Peja was a mindreader, it was not over the diss from Webber.

No, this is much, much worse. He wants to be traded because the Kings did not resign Divac. It was not like they traded Vlade, they chose to offer him what he is worth these days, and the Lakers chose to give him panic-bucks to cover up trading Shaq for mediocrity. (Yeah, westkoast, I think everyone had a giggle over THAT one, including you).

After the 'hood/not-a-'hood psycho-babble dribble Webber passed off as an "in-depth" interview where he espouses love for his soft Euro teammates but wants to play with other criminal types, like himself, only with guys who actually can back it up, we get Peja bursting out in tears over his "big Brother" being "dissed" by the Kings because he is not worth so much money that the Kings would exceed the salary cap by millions.  

I have no sympathy for millionaire crybabies. Trade him, don't trade him, since the Maloofs shot down the last and probably final Sacramento city offer of $175,000,000 to build a downtown arena as being an insulting offer to them, it may not matter. The city cannot offer more and are selling their souls for that amount.

I am about ready to s**tcan the whole pro basketball fan concept.

[Guest]

First off, Peja made the trade request to Petrie on July 23rd. Webber's "interview"/ramble babble came out on Sunday, July 31st and was conducted just the week before. Unless Peja was a mindreader, it was not over the diss from Webber.

 

I think his beef with Webber goes back to MeWebbs return to wreck Pejas (along with Bibbys and oh heck the whole team) touches and stroke and subsequently the Kings last year.  While Webber gave the interbabble on July 31st surely this stuff has been spilling from his brain to his lips long prior.........

Concur on the signing part.  Vlade also did the NBA thang and Hos out to whomever pays the most.  Purple n gold undies for Vlade.  Sheesh....
but then he might just like living in LA better then Sactown.

[Lurker]

but then he might just like living in LA better then Sactown.

Of course...he doesn't have to buy cigarrettes.  he can just go outside and breathe the "air".   :nod:  

[Guest_Randy]

First off, Peja made the trade request to Petrie on July 23rd. Webber's "interview"/ramble babble came out on Sunday, July 31st and was conducted just the week before. Unless Peja was a mindreader, it was not over the diss from Webber.

No, this is much, much worse. He wants to be traded because the Kings did not resign Divac. It was not like they traded Vlade, they chose to offer him what he is worth these days, and the Lakers chose to give him panic-bucks to cover up trading Shaq for mediocrity. (Yeah, westkoast, I think everyone had a giggle over THAT one, including you).

After the 'hood/not-a-'hood psycho-babble dribble Webber passed off as an "in-depth" interview where he espouses love for his soft Euro teammates but wants to play with other criminal types, like himself, only guys who actually can back it up, we get Peja bursting out in tears over his "big Brother" being "dissed" by the Kings because he is not worth so much money that the Kings would exceed the salary cap by millions.  

I have no sympathy for millionaire crybabies. Trade him, don't trade him, the Maloofs shot down the last and probably final Sacramento city offer of $175,000,000 to build a downtown arena as being insulting to them. The city cannot offer more and are selling their souls for that amount.

I am about ready to s**tcan the whole pro basketball fan concept.

I think it's a lot more than Peja just being upset that Vlade left -- the Kings made it pretty clear that they didn't WANT Vlade anymore.  Sure, they said the right things in the press and then said it was all a money thing -- but then they signed Ostertag for the kind of money that Vlade was seeking (Ostertag will NEVER be as important to the Kings as Vlade was -- even at this point in Vlade's career).  Vlade still has another good year in him -- after that, we will have to see.  I think Peja feels it's the same thing that I think it is -- they didn't want Vlade BECAUSE of Chris Webber.  CWebb wants to be the king for the Kings and he doesn't want any dissenters -- getting rid of Vlade broke up the dissenting vote and everyone expected Peja to just "deal" with it.  

Is it me?  All of the sudden the Maloof brothers seem to be incredible greedy -- they are trying to drop their payroll, get the city to build them a new stadium (at NO cost to themselves) -- all so that they can rake in MORE money than what they already have.  SacTown is probably one of the better small markets in the country but if this is the way they are going to do business, they are going to change ALL of that!  

How about Peja and change for VC?  The Lakers will give you everyone on their squad EXCEPT Kobe, Odom and Vlade for Peja!  Okay, I wouldn't do that deal either if I were SacTown!   :cry:  

[westkoast]

First off, Peja made the trade request to Petrie on July 23rd. Webber's "interview"/ramble babble came out on Sunday, July 31st and was conducted just the week before. Unless Peja was a mindreader, it was not over the diss from Webber.

 

The Webber diss came long before his hood comments the other day.  So you can scratch that assumption that I was speaking about that.  The real diss came when he re-joined the team and decided he was a better jump shooter than Peja.  Or that he could score better than Peja could.  Or even at 70% Chris still felt he didn't need to pass the ball all that much.  As for his comments about it only being about Vlade....uhhh no.  Lets not do selective reading JoMaL.

"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." source: http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2643502

JoMaL, your chuckles and jokes came when you watched the championship Laker squad be dismantled.  Players left and management was making poor choices.  You stated you were happy.  Now the Kings lost Vlade, they are going to loose Peja, The Maloofs are making poor choices, and Chris Webber is in selfish mode....like I said what goes around comes around.  Although I wont say I am happy to see this happen to the Kings because I enjoy their style of basketball.

[JoMal]

JoMaL, your chuckles and jokes came when you watched the championship Laker squad be dismantled.  Players left and management was making poor choices.  You stated you were happy.  Now the Kings lost Vlade, they are going to loose Peja, The Maloofs are making poor choices, and Chris Webber is in selfish mode....like I said what goes around comes around.  Although I wont say I am happy to see this happen to the Kings because I enjoy their style of basketball.

Westkoast, believe me, regardless of how he worded his statement, the bottom line was that his trade demands coincided with the Kings not resigning Vlade, period. He may not have enjoyed playing basketball with Chris upon his return, but he would have to play basketball regardless of who was on his team, and it was no excuse for Peja's accuracy suddenly disappearing, or his aggressiveness. If he wanted to compensate, he could have just told Webber to pass him the ball more and set a pick, and Peja would show him how to shoot a jumper.

That he told Petrie he does not care at all where he gets traded indicates he is pee'd off at the organization, not any particular teammate.

Regarding the Lakers, let me say first that I personally dislike Shaq because he insulted the Kings too much. But seeing the Lakers lose him is much more detrimental to the future success of the Lakers then Sacramento losing Peja would be. But there just are not that many pure shooters in the League to consider trading one for who knows what.

Artest? He fits the 'tough guy' mode that Webber wants to play with, but Webber can forget open looks at the basket for his clunkers when he gets double-teamed with Ron out on the perimeter instead of Peja.

Carter? Watching Webber compete with Vince for length of stay on the IR while calculating how much of their salaries are being paid out per game lost would admittedly be interesting but only for fans of other teams, not us.

Remember, westkoast, I am giggling WITH you regarding the prospects of the Lakers, not AT you. Losing Shaq opened up the west like nothing the Kings could possibly do regarding their own troubles. While no trade could bring equal value back to the Kings, we probably will struggle on at a higher clip then the Kobe-led Lakers, simply because the supporting cast in Sacramento will be better then what the Lakers are providing Bryant.

   

[westkoast]

JoMaL, your chuckles and jokes came when you watched the championship Laker squad be dismantled.  Players left and management was making poor choices.  You stated you were happy.  Now the Kings lost Vlade, they are going to loose Peja, The Maloofs are making poor choices, and Chris Webber is in selfish mode....like I said what goes around comes around.  Although I wont say I am happy to see this happen to the Kings because I enjoy their style of basketball.

Westkoast, believe me, regardless of how he worded his statement, the bottom line was that his trade demands coincided with the Kings not resigning Vlade, period. He may not have enjoyed playing basketball with Chris upon his return, but he would have to play basketball regardless of who was on his team, and it was no excuse for Peja's accuracy suddenly disappearing, or his aggressiveness. If he wanted to compensate, he could have just told Webber to pass him the ball more and set a pick, and Peja would show him how to shoot a jumper.

That he told Petrie he does not care at all where he gets traded indicates he is pee'd off at the organization, not any particular teammate.

Regarding the Lakers, let me say first that I personally dislike Shaq because he insulted the Kings too much. But seeing the Lakers lose him is much more detrimental to the future success of the Lakers then Sacramento losing Peja would be. But there just are not that many pure shooters in the League to consider trading one for who knows what.

Artest? He fits the 'tough guy' mode that Webber wants to play with, but Webber can forget open looks at the basket for his clunkers when he gets double-teamed with Ron out on the perimeter instead of Peja.

Carter? Watching Webber compete with Vince for length of stay on the IR while calculating how much of their salaries are being paid out per game lost would admittedly be interesting but only for fans of other teams, not us.

Remember, westkoast, I am giggling WITH you regarding the prospects of the Lakers, not AT you. Losing Shaq opened up the west like nothing the Kings could possibly do regarding their own troubles. While no trade could bring equal value back to the Kings, we probably will struggle on at a higher clip then the Kobe-led Lakers, simply because the supporting cast in Sacramento will be better then what the Lakers are providing Bryant.

JoMaL you honestly believe Vlade is the single reason he wants out?  I do not disagree its a big factor but there is some funny business going on up there right now.  From the top all the way down.  Most of the players (save Shaq) are usually PC about their comments.

Of course if you compare the two directly Shaq is much more important and a better piece for any team.  However, the Kings style of basketball depends on having the kind of shooter Peja is to spread the floor and keep defenders from cheating into passing lanes.  If they dont have the very best pure shooter in the league then there is no chance for a fluid offense, with or without Vlade.  Why wouldn't the 2 guards and small forwards cheat into passing lanes if they dont have to constantly be on the hip of Peja?  

Sometimes I wonder about these post players with huge ego's.  Does C-webb not realize how much easier his life is in the post with a player like Peja?  Does Shaq not realize how much easier his life was in the post with Kobe?  Do they not realize or are they just so full of themselves they think it doesnt matter?

[Guest_Randy]

JoMaL, your chuckles and jokes came when you watched the championship Laker squad be dismantled.  Players left and management was making poor choices.  You stated you were happy.  Now the Kings lost Vlade, they are going to loose Peja, The Maloofs are making poor choices, and Chris Webber is in selfish mode....like I said what goes around comes around.  Although I wont say I am happy to see this happen to the Kings because I enjoy their style of basketball.

Westkoast, believe me, regardless of how he worded his statement, the bottom line was that his trade demands coincided with the Kings not resigning Vlade, period. He may not have enjoyed playing basketball with Chris upon his return, but he would have to play basketball regardless of who was on his team, and it was no excuse for Peja's accuracy suddenly disappearing, or his aggressiveness. If he wanted to compensate, he could have just told Webber to pass him the ball more and set a pick, and Peja would show him how to shoot a jumper.

That he told Petrie he does not care at all where he gets traded indicates he is pee'd off at the organization, not any particular teammate.

Regarding the Lakers, let me say first that I personally dislike Shaq because he insulted the Kings too much. But seeing the Lakers lose him is much more detrimental to the future success of the Lakers then Sacramento losing Peja would be. But there just are not that many pure shooters in the League to consider trading one for who knows what.

Artest? He fits the 'tough guy' mode that Webber wants to play with, but Webber can forget open looks at the basket for his clunkers when he gets double-teamed with Ron out on the perimeter instead of Peja.

Carter? Watching Webber compete with Vince for length of stay on the IR while calculating how much of their salaries are being paid out per game lost would admittedly be interesting but only for fans of other teams, not us.

Remember, westkoast, I am giggling WITH you regarding the prospects of the Lakers, not AT you. Losing Shaq opened up the west like nothing the Kings could possibly do regarding their own troubles. While no trade could bring equal value back to the Kings, we probably will struggle on at a higher clip then the Kobe-led Lakers, simply because the supporting cast in Sacramento will be better then what the Lakers are providing Bryant.

JoMaL you honestly believe Vlade is the single reason he wants out?  I do not disagree its a big factor but there is some funny business going on up there right now.  From the top all the way down.  Most of the players (save Shaq) are usually PC about their comments.

Of course if you compare the two directly Shaq is much more important and a better piece for any team.  However, the Kings style of basketball depends on having the kind of shooter Peja is to spread the floor and keep defenders from cheating into passing lanes.  If they dont have the very best pure shooter in the league then there is no chance for a fluid offense, with or without Vlade.  Why wouldn't the 2 guards and small forwards cheat into passing lanes if they dont have to constantly be on the hip of Peja?  

Sometimes I wonder about these post players with huge ego's.  Does C-webb not realize how much easier his life is in the post with a player like Peja?  Does Shaq not realize how much easier his life was in the post with Kobe?  Do they not realize or are they just so full of themselves they think it doesnt matter?

Westkoast, I think you are missing part of the reasoning here for Peja -- it just isn't THAT Vlade is gone -- but WHY he is gone.  This move wasn't because of the money -- which was the stated reason -- if that were the truth they would have never given Ostertag the contract they gave him.  So Peja now realizes that he (and Vlade) were lied to -- that it wasn't about the money so it was about trying to give CWebb more space in the locker room.  At which point, Peja responds "then I don't want to be in the locker room anymore.  

This move was made because of the locker room problems last year and they don't want it divided (Peja and Vlade vs. Webber and Bibby) like it was last year.  They thought letting Vlade go elsewhere and lying about it would bring civility to the locker room and they were hoping that Peja would just get over it and keep playing ball.  

What once was the Kings GREATEST asset -- their chemistry has now changed dramatically.  Shaq may have be onto something and might need to consider opening his own Psychic friends network renaming the Kings because they are striving to earn his new lable the Queens (as in the drama variety) -- of course, they still have a lot of work to do to overtake the Lakers in this area but you have to give them an A for effort.