Jimmy Smith of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports:
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He’s on the periphery at present, on the outside looking in at the New Orleans Hornets’ historic 6-0 start.
Since last Wednesday night when New Orleans beat the Houston Rockets, veteran forward Peja Stojakovic has been on the inactive list, three games with no opportunity to contribute as the Hornets sprinted out to an unbeaten start and became relevant once again in the NBA.
They are the surprise team in the league at the outset, fueled by a young, athletic, defensive-minded group that has left a one-dimensional offensive threat a spectator, earning about $183,000 per game for cheering on his teammates.
Stojakovic, at one time one of the most feared scorers in the NBA, finds his career at a crossroads.
He is 33 years old, surrounded by teammates who are younger, more adept at running the floor and more skilled at providing the kind of defense first-year Coach Monty Williams demands of his rotation, leaving Stojakovic now wondering if his time in New Orleans is drawing to a close.
“It’s obvious I’m not in the plans,” Stojakovic said. “I’m not looking long term. I’m looking at this year. I’m real about it. It’s just moving on with our career and lives.”
