Jul 24, 2008 8:33 pm US/Pacific
Report: Vujacic Threatening To Bolt For Europe
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
Laker guard Sasha Vujacic is reportedly planning to leave the team and play in Europe if the Lakers do not make an offer that Vujacic feels is fair. Vujacic is a restricted free agent and feels the $2.6 million contract that the Lakers offered after the season was too low.
The L.A. Times reports that Vujacic is looking for a deal averaging around $5 million per year for ideally six years, though he expects the club to offer a shorter-term deal.
Vujacic would potentially be the second player to leave the Lakers this off season, as Ronny Turiaf signed a four-year, $17-million deal with Golden State.
Vujacic has not yet been offered a contract from any other NBA teams. The Lakers were expected to match any deal, thus keeping the restricted free-agent sharp-shooter in purple and gold. However, if a club outside the NBA makes an offer, Vujacic is free to accept it regardless of what the Lakers offer.
The Lakers have been negotiating with Vujacic's agent, Rob Pelinka. General Manager Mitch Kupchak had hoped to bring the Western Conference champions back in tact for next season.
"We are very aware of the global market as it has changed over the years. It was our desire to bring Sasha and Ronny back. It continues to be our desire to bring Sasha back, however, with the ever-changing marketplace that Europe has become, a player, in order to cover his bases, can negotiate with his NBA team and, at the same time, have a plan that allows him to have the possibility of going overseas."
Vujacic would become one of a growing number of NBA players who take up employment in European leagues, following closely on the heals of former Atlanta Hawk Josh Childress, who Wednesday announced that he is joining the Greek professional team, Olympiakos.
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