Report: Raptors to buy out Stojakovic; Lakers, Mavericks interested

[prov1ml34]

I would hope the Celtics would be at least slightly interested. He would be a good backup to Paul and give us some good shooting with the 2nd unit. Maybe one of our vets or Danny can talk him into signing on with us

Peja Stojakovic is sitting at the end of the Raptors bench, not getting in games and taking up a spot that could go to a young player Toronto could develop.

So it makes sense that the Raptors are looking to buy out Stojakovic and are close to a deal, as reported by Marc Stein at ESPN. Stojakovic, traded from New Orleans to Toronto six games into the season, is slated to make $15 million this year in the final year of his contract, and you can expect the buyout is pretty much for the full amount (why should Stojakovic take less?).

What’s interesting is who might jump in to sign the sharpshooter.

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 clears 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.

Not sold on the LA part of that rumor. The Lakers need outside shooting, but once Matt Barnes returns from his surgery you can bet that Stojakovic’s minutes would drop to nearly Raptors-like levels.

The Mavericks, however, have lost Caron Butler for the season and they have the minutes at the three to give out. What the Mavs or anyone who goes after him has to realize is this — we are not talking about the Kings-era Stojakovic anymore, we’re talking about a guy who couldn’t crack the lineups in New Orleans and Toronto. His defense is as, um, “good” as it ever was.

That said, Peja can still shoot the long ball — he’s only taken 31 threes this season in limited minutes, but he’s knocked down 48 percent of them. Last season that number was only 38 percent, but that is still better than many on the Lakers and Mavericks rosters.

[rondohondo]

I would hope the Celtics would be at least slightly interested. He would be a good backup to Paul and give us some good shooting with the 2nd unit.

Peja Stojakovic is sitting at the end of the Raptors bench, not getting in games and taking up a spot that could go to a young player Toronto could develop.

So it makes sense that the Raptors are looking to buy out Stojakovic and are close to a deal, as reported by Marc Stein at ESPN. Stojakovic, traded from New Orleans to Toronto six games into the season, is slated to make $15 million this year in the final year of his contract, and you can expect the buyout is pretty much for the full amount (why should Stojakovic take less?).

What’s interesting is who might jump in to sign the sharpshooter.

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 clears 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.

Not sold on the LA part of that rumor. The Lakers need outside shooting, but once Matt Barnes returns from his surgery you can bet that Stojakovic’s minutes would drop to nearly Raptors-like levels.

The Mavericks, however, have lost Caron Butler for the season and they have the minutes at the three to give out. What the Mavs or anyone who goes after him has to realize is this — we are not talking about the Kings-era Stojakovic anymore, we’re talking about a guy who couldn’t crack the lineups in New Orleans and Toronto. His defense is as, um, “good” as it ever was.

That said, Peja can still shoot the long ball — he’s only taken 31 threes this season in limited minutes, but he’s knocked down 48 percent of them. Last season that number was only 38 percent, but that is still better than many on the Lakers and Mavericks rosters.

at this point in their careers I would rather have Von Wafer. He can at least stay in front of his man defensively and is a pretty good outside shooter, plus he can pump fake and take it to the basket.

It is not worth cutting someone to pickup Peja IMO.

[The Walker Wiggle]

At this point in their careers I would rather have Von Wafer. He can at least stay in front of his man defensively and is a pretty good outside shooter, plus he can pump fake and take it to the basket.

It is not worth cutting someone to pickup Peja IMO.

Good tip, but I'd have to agree with RondoHondo. Multiple back injuries have left an already slow-footed Stojakovic the least mobile SF in the league. He'll likely catch on with a contender, he's too good a shooter not to, but I don't expect him to be a difference maker for anyone.

[jdub1660]

Was just about to start a "get peja now" thread

How can anyone say he wouldn't be perfect on this team?
I like Von, but have only seen 1 or 2 games where he shot the ball well. I'd keep Von in this case, and trade Avery,Nate or Gody elsewhere.
Peja can shoot lights out without being as streaky as Von and Nate. Quis can't shoot, so where's the offense coming from off the bench? DONT SAY BBD

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4pcsqu3

Nate,Gody,BBD and JO  =  Landry,Udrih, and Thompson

Sactown get talent in return plus draft picks without losing Landry to free agency. They can buyout JO or retire w/e and lose Beno's contract.
We get a legit PF and starter, backup young C and a real backup PG. Let West/Wafer play SG, sign Peja

Udrih,West/Wafer,Peja,Landry,Shaq/Thompson

[LakersFan_33]

We don't want Stojakovic. I would rather wait for Matt Barnes to recover from his surgery, and play Ebanks.

[csfansince60s]

Michael Finley 2.0.........No Thanks...who would we drop?....our chemistry is so good right now, why mess with it?

[guava_wrench]

Was just about to start a "get peja now" thread

How can anyone say he wouldn't be perfect on this team?

A guy who can not play defense is definitely not a perfect fit on the Celtics.

He is not like the Wafer of old who just didn't bother playing D. He is likely physically incapable of playing defense. Remember how badly Finley would get burned last season? Peja would be even worse.

Since our team lives and dies by defense, I don't see how he is even a good idea except as insurance at desperate.

I also don't see how a guy who doesn't deserve minutes anymore can be perfect for anyone. He makes sense for Dallas because they are desperate with Butler out.

[pearljammer10]

If we had an open roster spot to fill then sure Id offer him the min to play the 11th or 12th man role here, without question.

However, to waive a player and sign Peja isnt really worth it. I bet he ends up in Dallas, plays for a few games, and then Dallas makes a semi big splash to add a big name.

[Who]

We don't want Stojakovic. I would rather wait for Matt Barnes to recover from his surgery, and play Ebanks.

Drop Fisher from the rotation + start S.Brown in his place + use Peja as a backup wing alongside Barnes.

Use Ebanks instead of Peja when you need more defense on the wing.

[Fafnir]

The Celtics really don't have a spot for him. His only value would be to stretch the floor on offense when the C's could hide him on a terrible offensive player.

So I suppose he'd be a slight upgrade from Gody shooting wise, though the rebounding would be much less.

[Jon]

Hopefully he lands in Dallas or New Orleans.  As good as Dallas can be, I don't see them getting out of the West.  Thus, it won't hurt us.  

As others have said, he's a huge liability defensively, particularly at the 3.  And while you could argue he could play at little as a backup 4, with Baby already here, it isn't exactly necessary.  

I wouldn't hate it, but I don't see the C's making a big push.  

[Fafnir]

We don't want Stojakovic. I would rather wait for Matt Barnes to recover from his surgery, and play Ebanks.

Drop Fisher from the rotation + start S.Brown in his place + use Peja as a backup wing alongside Barnes.

Use Ebanks instead of Peja when you need more defense on the wing.

I don't think Phil is going to bench Fisher for anything at this point. How the heck does he still play 27 mins....

[birdwatcher]

Didn't we try this already with Michael Finely? If he can't play D, I can't see it happening.

[xmuscularghandix]

Didn't we try this already with Michael Finely? If he can't play D, I can't see it happening.

And at least Finley was a former NBA champion... Stojakovic has been done for years and offers nothing.

[mgent]

Luke is better.