What about Stojakovic?

[Wicked Messenger]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5828835

ESPN reports that New Orleans and Toronto may complete a 5 player trade, involving Peja Stojakovic, who would be sent to the Raptor in an apparent salary dump.  In the event that Stojakovic is waived, seems like he would be a solid pick-up if the C's could pick him up at the MLE.  This would, of course, require the team to waive Von Wafer (and eat his partially guaranteed deal).  While Peja has fallen out of favor in New Orleans (and isn't the best defender) -- and there is no guarantees that the deal will go through and he will be waived -- he could fill an important role as a backup "3" off the bench, particularly with his shooting and ability to spread the floor.  What do folks think?

[Wicked Messenger]

Not MLE, I meant league minimum.

[pearljammer10]

If we threw the minimum at him I would definitely take his as the 11th man on our bench. He would come in handy giving guys some extra rest mid season. Certainly wouldn't hurt to have an extra body that can play the three, maybe some two, and shoot very well. Id be all for it baring the fact we didnt have to give up anyone.

[wdleehi]

I like him as a vet min add.  He provides nice depth and better shooting then anyone else on the Celtics bench.  Basically an Eddie House type at the slow SF instead of the small SG.  Both can hit shots at a high rate.  Both are defensive liabilities. 

[Roy H.]

He'd certainly be an upgrade over Wafer.

[RebusRankin]

10 minutes a night to give Paul rest would make it worthwhile.

[hpantazo]

any move that helps our depth and prevents him from going to the heat is good imo.

[wdleehi]

any move that helps our depth and prevents him from going to the heat is good imo.

Heat sign him, makes it much easier to trade Miller for PG help.

[The Walker Wiggle]

ESPN reports that New Orleans and Toronto may complete a 5 player trade, involving Peja Stojakovic, who would be sent to the Raptor in an apparent salary dump.

This is now being reported as a done deal. New Orleans sends Peja Stojakovic, Jerryd Bayless, and an undisclosed cash amount to the Raptors for Jarrett Jack, David Andersen and Marcus Banks.

Anyone agree that the Hornets moved too quickly to offload Peja and his $14 million expiring contract? Considering the team's strong start, why preclude the chance to add a true starting two guard or 25 minute worthy reserve PF/C closer to the trade deadline? Hard to believe the need for a better back up for Paul justifies the deal. Jack won't see more than 10-12 minutes a night at his true position, but then isn't a clear upgrade at shooting guard over Bellinelli and the currently out-of-favor Thornton. Andersen is too similar to Jason Smith in his strengths and weaknesses. Banks won't even make the rotation.

[mgent]

ESPN reports that New Orleans and Toronto may complete a 5 player trade, involving Peja Stojakovic, who would be sent to the Raptor in an apparent salary dump.

This is now being reported as a done deal. New Orleans sends Peja Stojakovic, Jerryd Bayless, and an undisclosed cash amount to the Raptors for Jarrett Jack, David Andersen and Marcus Banks.

Anyone agree that the Hornets moved too quickly to offload Peja and his $14 million expiring contract? Considering the team's strong start, why preclude the chance to add a true starting two guard or 25 minute worthy reserve PF/C closer to the trade deadline? Hard to believe the need for a better back up for Paul justifies the deal. Jack won't see more than 10-12 minutes a night at his true position, but then isn't a clear upgrade at shooting guard over Bellinelli and the currently out-of-favor Thornton. Andersen is too similar to Jason Smith in his strengths and weaknesses. Banks won't even make the rotation.

I don't see how that really helps NO.

[PosImpos]

This trade makes very little sense to me.  Couldn't the Hornets find something better than this that would help them to get under the luxury tax?

A trade like this isn't going to convince Paul that the team is dedicated to winning.  They could have potentially turned Peja's contract into a legitimate starter or some front court depth, and instead they get two guys who shouldn't be playing more than 15 minutes a night on an honest to goodness contender.

Jack's skillset isn't all that different from Thornton or Willie Green, and he's not a clear upgrade over Bellineli.  David Andersen hasn't played significant minutes on a good team...ever.  This trade doesn't make the Hornets better.

[Change]

I Don't get this trade from the Hornets perspective. Jarrett Jack is an upgrade over Bayless, I think. But the rest of the trade doesn't make much sense. Peja 4 David Andersen and Marcus Banks is a colossal failure. N.O. will regret this trade.

Peja on the Celtics would be sweet. You can never have enough shooters.

[Lucky17]

It's a total failure by NO to acquire something meaningful with their biggest trade asset.

If anything, it looks like NO made this deal to acquire their PG of the future.

[Chris]

It's a total failure by NO to acquire something meaningful with their biggest trade asset.

If anything, it looks like NO made this deal to acquire their PG of the future.

NO made this deal to get under the luxury tax...and getting a quality 3rd guard, who can play PG or SG is just a bonus.  It was a money motivated move by one of the cheapest owners in the league. 

With that said, it absolutely helps them, and given that there is no chance they were going to take on future salary in exchange for that contract, Demps did well to get two guys who should be upgrades in their rotation. Andersen should be at least their 4th best big, and probably 3rd, and of course Jack is a major upgrade over Bayless. 

Anyways, on topic, I don't think Toronto is going to buy out Peja.  They could use him, and he should fit in pretty well up there.  But, if they do, I hope Danny would go hard after him. 

[Lucky17]

It's a total failure by NO to acquire something meaningful with their biggest trade asset.

If anything, it looks like NO made this deal to acquire their PG of the future.

NO made this deal to get under the luxury tax...and getting a quality 3rd guard, who can play PG or SG is just a bonus.  It was a money motivated move by one of the cheapest owners in the league. 

With that said, it absolutely helps them, and given that there is no chance they were going to take on future salary in exchange for that contract, Demps did well to get two guys who should be upgrades in their rotation. Andersen should be at least their 4th best big, and probably 3rd, and of course Jack is a major upgrade over Bayless. 

Anyways, on topic, I don't think Toronto is going to buy out Peja.  They could use him, and he should fit in pretty well up there.  But, if they do, I hope Danny would go hard after him. 

But Andersen is no better (perhaps even worse?) than Jason Smith. NO needs size and toughness, not Andersen. Reggie Evans should have been the filler to acquire, not Banks/Andersen.

Jack is a decent player. But he's incredibly expensive as Paul's backup, and he's now, what, the 23rd SG on that roster? It's a bad deal by NO.

You're right, Chris, it's yet another deal by one of the cheapest ownerships in the NBA to save some money.