Wed, Jul 12, 2006 at 12:00am

PEJA NOW A HORNET

The New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets acquired forward Peja Stojakovic and cash from the Indiana Pacers for center Andrew Betts.

What does it give the New Orleans Pelicans
The top-tier shooting small forward they need. By getting the Pacers to sign him first and then trade him, the Hornets can pay Stojakovic what he is asking for. He has declined a little in the past couple of seasons due to nagging injuries but when healthy may be the NBA's best pure shooter. He gives the Hornets an elite scorer and a veteran presence on a young and improving team. Betts wasn't really in the Hornets' plans, as he was drafted back in the second round of 1998 and hasn't made it from Europe to the NBA.

What does it give the Indiana Pacers
A trade exception worth $7.5 Million. That means that even though the Pacers are over the NBA's salary cap, they can still make a trade with another team for a player (or players) commanding up to $7.5 Million of salary. By signing Stojakovic and then sending him to the Hornets, the Pacers got something in return rather than just letting him go for nothing. The flexibility the exception allows them will likely help Indy land a player (or players) of similar value. Betts is a legitimate 7-footer but was mostly included in the deal because the NBA's rules require a team to receive more than just a trade exception. He has spent his pro career in Europe, and isn't expected to be a significant part of Indy's plans. The Pacers have a year to use the exception.

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