Sasha Vujacic, along with Delonte West and Andris Biedrins, may be heading to europe next season.
For the Lakers, the departure of Sasha "the Machine" Vujacic, would be a big blow to their title hopes next season.
Vujacic had his best season in the NBA last year, averaging 8.8 points in 17.8 minutes in the regular season, shooting 45.4 percent from the field, including 43.7 percent from three-point range.
In the postseason, Vujacic averaged 21.7 minutes, 8.1 points and shot 39.9 percent from the floor, including 39.2 percent on three-pointers.
After loosing forward Ronny Turiaf to the Warriors, the Lakers can't afford to lose Vujacic, who was one of the main reasons the Lakers' bench was so good this season.
Vujacic and Jordan Farmar are a more-than-capable backup option for Derek Fisher and Kobe Bryant. They showed that numerous times during the season, when they didn't only keep the score line the same when the bench was on, but often decreased a deficit or increased a lead.
Vujacic isn't only a shooter. He is underrated on defence and can really bug opposing players. Manu Ginobili was frustrated with the way Vujacic was pestering him whenever he was on the court—and subsequently, Ginobili had a below-average series.
Vujacic earned every dollar of his $1.76 million last year, and was rewarded when the Lakers offered him a one-year $2.6 million qualifying offer.
Because most people think the Lakers would match any offer sheet on Vujacic, teams haven't bothered going after him.
Many think the $2.6 million offer is fair, but Vujacic is looking for a long-term deal in which he would make more money towards the end of the contract.
He is hoping for a six-year deal in which he averages $5 million a season.
If the Lakers lose Vujacic, the Lakers will really struggle to get a bench like the one they had last season. Options two and three were to sign either James Posey or Brent Barry—which obviously can't happen, as Posey has signed with the Hornets and Barry is now with the Rockets.
So if the Lakers can't keep Vujacic, who would be left to fill the massive gap?
People may not realise how big of a part Vujacic is for this team right now—but if he goes to Europe, it will be made clear fairly quickly.
7 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mike Turnell 11 months ago
If Sasha learned how to play defense, he'd be one of the most valuable role players in the NBA. Watching Ray Allen blow by him in the finals must have been torture for Laker fans.
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Jason O 11 months ago
Im don't think Vujacic is as bad a defender as people say he is.
He isnt great but he gets in the face of his opposite and it gets on there nerves. Ginobili experienced that first hand.
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Mark Leno 11 months ago
After the series against the spurs i think laker fans gave Sasha alot more credit then he deserved for playing defense on a hobbled ginobili. ginobili would run circles around vujacic if he were healthy and i think his lack of defensive ability showed again when ray allen lit him up in the finals
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mike sedgley 11 months ago
yea right he cant play d
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Andrew Ungvari 11 months ago
I'm not so sure if Sasha is the reason they could or couldn't win a championship. Let's be real, here. I'd rather have Jannero Pargo for 1/3 the price and two years than commit $5 million a year to another reserve. The Lakers can't keep giving out mid-level type money to guys on their bench. His deal would cost $10 million per year with the luxury tax. That's not worth it.
Vujacic cost himself millions when he disappeared for the last few games of the Finals.
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Mark Ogarte 11 months ago
No need to worry about who would stop Ginobili if they go up against the Lakers.
Defensive standout Trevor Ariza would take care of that business.
And when Manu does get by his defenders, Bynum would be waiting to swat his shot away! :D
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Mark Ogarte 11 months ago
We'll be expecting Sasha to earn that money!
Ok. I'd give Luke Walton a chance as well. Who knows? He might just develop into a pretty good player.
Vlade, Walton and Sasha should hit their shots and help us out!
Also, Lakers need a defensive-minded assistant coach!
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