It only took a quick slick of the eyebrows for Sasha Vujacic to drain two crucial free throws with 11.7 seconds left on the clock during Game 7 of the Finals last season, even after sitting the entire fourth quarter.
That’s what machines do.
On Tuesday, all it took Mitch Kupchak was a few phone calls to wheel and deal Vujacic’s expiring contract to the New Jersey Nets, saving the Lakers around $8 million.
That’s what great general manager’s do.
It was a move that most expected Kupchak to make over the summer to facilitate the signing of Shannon Brown, rumors swirled, but the likelihood of a team purposely inheriting Vujacic’s inflated contract was slim to none. The retention of Brown, the signing of Blake and the Lakers already solid starting back-court left Vujacic as the fifth guard and furthest down the totem pole, the 6-foot-7, 205 pound guard limited to time usually referred to as “garbage.”
Vujacic is at the tail end of a three-year, $15-million contract he signed with the Lakers during the summer of 2008. Perhaps his dynamic Game 3 performance during the playoffs, posting 20 points off the bench in the 08’ Finals, was the catalyst leading to the Lakers inking a deal with the Slovenian guard. It was his best
season to date, but a lot can happen over a span of two years, and Vujacic’s numbers never quite lived up to expectations.
Next: Vujacic’s numbers slowly take a dive
If it’s all just a means to an end, Vujacic experienced the perfect end in helping seal the deal against the Celtics. Unfortunately for Vujacic, the end of the Lakers 09-10’ campaign was preceded by a disappointing season statistically, only having averaged 2.8 points per game, at roughly 40 percent shooting from the field, 31 percent beyond the arc. It was a career-low for Vujacic, perhaps a result of the injuries to his right shoulder and left ankle, but the problems seemed to carry-over from the previous season when his numbers began to take a steady plunge.
To date this season, the 6-year guard out of Maribor, Yugoslavia, is only averaging 1.8 points in about 4.9 minutes per game. The numbers aren’t exactly ideal for Vujacic, especially considering he’s in a contract year.
Although his demeanor coming into the season was up-beat, figuring he would make the most of his inconsistent playing time, he never really got the opportunity due to Brown’s impressive start. He played in only 12 of the Lakers’ 25 games, his biggest splash of the young season coming when he announced his engagement to tennis superstar Maria Sharapova.
“It’s terrible. I’m 26-years old. I played a few years [consistently] and the last couple years, playing on and off, it was just killing me,” Vujacic said after Tuesday’s win over the Washington Wizards.
The move to New Jersey could provide Vujacic with the consistent playing time he desires, even though it means having to turn in his purple and gold for navy, red and silver.
“I don’t know what to say right now,” he said before turning his focus toward the Nets. “They’re a young team. They’re rebuilding their franchise and they’re going to be interesting.”
Next: How will Vujacic be remembered?
It’s also important to point out the trade for Joe Smith was purely financial. The Lakers didn’t go to the Nets to try and pry Smith from their hands, but the opportunity to unload money off the books was just too good to pass up.
As we bid adieu to Vujacic and welcome in veteran power forward Joe Smith, I can’t help but wonder how he’ll be remembered by Lakers fans. Some will remember how he sat beaming in the press room after his Game 3 performance in the 08’ Finals. Others will only reflect on how he miserably failed to contain Ray Allen’s hot shooting in Game 4, when the Lakers fell to the Celtics after being up by as many as 24 points. Perhaps he’ll be remembered for his pesky defense, which was so effective when it didn’t cause him to commit tick-tack fouls.
Then of course there’s his tendency to be high strung in the most inopportune moments. His spat with Brian Shaw causing Phil Jackson to give him an extended stay in the dog house, his ill-timed feud with Goran Dragic during the Conference Finals against the Suns and who could forget his knack for communicating his grievances with the referees.
Whatever memories you choose to file under Vujacic in the Lakers memory bank, one thing is for certain—his aesthetic contributions to the team will surely be missed by many female Lakers fans. My condolences to the Vuja-chicks, but at least they’ll get one more chance to see him when the Nets visit the Lakers at Staples on January 14th.