Former Sacramento Kings star Peja Stojakovic will retire instead of play out a 15th NBA season, he told ESPN's Marc Stein. Stojakovic, who turned 34 during the NBA Finals, split time with the New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks last season, earning his first championship ring with Dallas in June.
Peja Stojakovic Retires: Former Sacramento Kings Star Calls It A Career
Former Sacramento Kings star Peja Stojakovic will retire after 14 NBA seasons. Stojakovic won a ring with the Dallas Mavericks last season.
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Once one of the league's most feared shooters, Stojakovic had faded into a minor role due to ongoing back pain. He provided one last signature moment in the 2011 playoffs, scoring 21 points on 6-6 from three-point range in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Lakers, which ended in a Mavericks sweep. Stojakovic received interest from some contenders, but the back pain caused him to hang it up.
Stojakovic is best known for his time with the Kings, who drafted him in 1996. He debuted in 1998 and emerged as one of the top scorers in the league. His best season was in 2004, where he finished fourth in MVP voting for a Kings team that excelled despite missing Chris Webber for most of the season.
For more on Stojakovic’s retirement, visit SB Nation Dallas, Mavs Moneyball and Sactown Royalty.
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