Inside the Lakers: Just got back from Sasha Vujacic’s press conference this afternoon and got the answer to the question you always have to ask a free agent who has just cashed in:
“I heard a rumor that guys who sign a contract don’t keep working to get better, but I don’t agree with that,” Vujacic said. “I will definitely keep getting better. I’m a gym rat. That’s how I am.
“My goal is to be the best shooter in the NBA and if I keep working hard, I think I can do that.”
It’s no coincidence that the Lakers and Vujacic agreed to a three-year deal. From the team’s standpoint, it means that the Lakers can see how he develops over the next three years, if he gets better, or if he’s reached his ceiling, without committing to six years. From Vujacic’s standpoint, it means that he’s in line for a much bigger payday in three years, when he’ll only be 27 (the prime for most NBA players) if he continues to develop.
Vujacic is taking on some risk of course. If he doesn’t improve, or if the Lakers don’t play as well as a team, his value in three years might be lower, not higher. To compensate him for that risk, the team upped its original offer of about $12 million over three seasons to $15 million over three seasons.
In other words, Vujacic got paid, but still has plenty of incentive to work on his game.
He said that because the negotiations took so long, he’s only planning to go home to Slovenia for about a week, then return to Los Angeles and get back in the gym.
UPDATE: Sasha resigns with Lakers for 3 years/15 million!
Sasha: 1 year/2.6 mil. offer from Lakers, hires Pelinka as agent
Focusing on Vujacic
Sasha Vujacic to Europe? It could happen.
State of the Cap
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Good to have you back on board SASHA!!!”I am the Machine,Fear me!
Machine bytchessssssssssssssss
yea MACHINE WILL WORK ALOT, 2008 3pt Champ
Stronger Sasha!
He better be the best shooter in the NBA in the upcomming years.. and that would be awesome to see him in the 3-point shootout :]
that would be the shiz! but ya! he better keep his word and keep gettin better.
The Maaaaacccchiiinnnnee!!!!!
I hope he work harder than he did this year!
MF MACHINE(His new name,sorta like MF Doom but instead of METAL FACE,HE’S MOTHERF’IN MACHINE)!!!
Better be playing like a champ for the money he is making.
i want to see a mount rushmore with kobe lamar gasol bynum
We’ll see if the machine can break the dreaded lakers curse… Once u get your money you lose all your talent and ain’t worth shyt…
Surpass R. Allen and Peja, Sasha!
He’s going to only get better, he’s a work rat, and he’s already good, he’s going to be good this year, much better, along with Bynum (just get back in shape and work on your speed, jumping ability, health/durability and stamina young gun!), Farmar (work on jumpshot), Ariza (work on jumpshot), we’re going to be good next year, mark my words guys, mark my words!
kobe?
I like Sasha. I like the 6′7″ height. I like his energy on defense. He has made clutch shots when we need them. I remember only one time he looked like a mad man on the court when the other Lakers were at the other end and he became a little out of control. I like that he and Kobe play well together. He is a team player. He has excellent sportmanship. He did help the Lakers get to the championships!
Is he worth $5million per year for 3 years coming off the bench? If Kobe says he’s good, then I agree! I can’t wait for the season to begin!
SASH,
DON’T BE A V-LADY AND FLUKE, PLS. work on DEFENSE this summer and the offense will come. and Congrats.
,machine iznt gonna be good as JR smith but hes is just as fun to watch
Nobody in the NBA made Sasha an offer yet Mitch comes at him with $5m/year? AND just lets Turiaf walk?
Laker Nation has been talking about getting tougher, but instead they hand out $5M/year to a soft euro shooter who averaged 8.0 PPG.
C’mon Laker Fans. This site is becoming just as soft as Sashas D. He can’t guard one on one and relies on help too often.
I hope he proves me wrong.
If you ask me, we didn’t need scorer, just let Kobe get his 30 shots up because we win when Kobe shoots….
This is just the start to what the Lakers are going to put together. Go Lakers!!!!!
We win when kobe shoots 30 shots??? Your not living in reality. When kobe shoots less are record is much better. Stop dreaming and get Real.
Lakers realist ur retardo
GO RESEARCH your theory
when kobe {Profanity isn't allowed on theLakersNation.com -- Please go back and edit your comment. Thank you.}s thirty shots we ussulay lose
$5m for 8 PPG. Mitch could have done better.
And now Artest to Houston for B Jackson and a 1st?
I’m curious as to what Mitch offered.
OK Sasha, you got your money.
Please work on your defense. Cut out the stupid flopping and work on your fundamentals. That last second D against Ray Allen was DISGUSTING.
Oh, and its time to grow up and get a haircut. You look like an idiot out there always futzing with that stupid little Laker girl headband.
For 5 million a year Sasha better work on his bad defense. Better footwork and stop reaching in all the time.
And Ray is not known for breaking people down like that…
That play will forever be burned in my head when I think of the machine. That was a pivotal play. Lets hope that play doesn’t stay in his head or his career is doomed.
But the guy semms to want to work so lets hope for the best. Everyone says he’s got good work ethics. And keep in mind that Luke and Radman can only get better.
sasha man drive in the ball once in a while all you do is shoot 3 pointers