Peja Stojakovic

Jordan Ramirez

Buddy Hield is one of the most prolific shooters the NBA has ever seen.

Hield has already set multiple league records, including becoming the fastest player in history to make 1,000 threes.

Now, Buddy Buckets has further moved up Sacramento’s record books, passing another prolific Sactown marksman.

On Saturday, Hield surpassed Mitch Richmond for second-most threes made in Sacramento history, finishing with 997 and trailing only Peja Stojakovic for most all time.

Hield is shooting at a 38.2 percent clip from deep this season, averaging 16.5 points and 4.0 threes per contest.

Stojakovic holds the lead with 1070 threes made, but it's now a matter of when not if Hield becomes the most decorated shooter in Sacramento history.

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Buddy Hield Continues to Make Sacramento 3-Point History

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The Sacramento Kings announced today that Peja Stojakovic has stepped down as Assistant General Manager.

“It has been a great joy and honor to work in the Kings front office for the past five years,” said Peja Stojakovic. “I want to thank the organization and especially the incredible fans around the world for the support over the years. Sacramento will always be home to me and I wish the franchise nothing but the very best.”

“We are deeply appreciative to Peja for his contributions and commitment to the Kings and to the city of Sacramento both as a legend and as an executive,” said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé. “Peja is a pillar of the community and he will always remain a part of our Kings family. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

Since 2015, the former Kings standout has served in various front office executive roles, including as Assistant General Manager for the past two seasons and prior to that as Vice President of Basketball and Team Development.

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Peja Stojakovic Steps Down As Kings Assistant GM

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This Date in Kings OT History: Peja's Game-Winner Tops Duncan's 42

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This Date in Kings OT History: Clark Stuns Dallas (AGAIN!) 2.23.2003

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Kyle Ramos

Before stepping into his current role as Sacramento’s General Manager, Vlade Divac was regarded as not only a Kings legend but someone who made a memorable mark on the game of basketball.

Divac’s accomplishments on the hardwood are set to receive the highest honor in hoops as he will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend. With such a special form of recognition at hand, former teammates and current colleagues chimed in on what made No. 21 so special.

“Vlade has been a transformational leader on and off the court for his entire career. As an international basketball pioneer and global ambassador for the game, he has used his platform to make the world a better place for over three decades,” said Kings Owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé.

“From his efforts to start Basketball Without Borders to his lasting impact on how the game is played, he continues to serve as an inspiration and role model for players of all ages around the world.”

Peja Stojakovic, who spent many years playing alongside Vlade and now serves as Sacramento’s Assistant GM, had this to say.

“Vlade was one of the first Europeans to come to the NBA. He opened the gates for European basketball players who dreamed of one day playing in the NBA.”

“I had the opportunity to play with Vlade and witness what kind of player, leader and most importantly what kind of person he is. His friendship has meant a lot to me,” said Stojakovic.

As his former frontcourt running mate, Chris Webber also added some additional praise.

“[Vlade] was one of the first big men hybrids and his impact on the game was felt worldwide,” said C-Webb.

“He was a great teammate and one of the best passers I’ve been honored to play with. All of that being said he is a better man than hooper ... he is a wonderful husband, father and a loyal friend.”

“Vlade Divac is a truly special, incredible and caring human being. From the moment we met what struck me was how true of a person Vlade is and from right there he had a friend for life,” said former teammate and current NBC Sports color commentator Doug Christie.

“From his country being in war and watching his humanitarian efforts, to seeing his love for his family and friends it just speaks to the man he is. Vlade was before his time on the court, a skilled big man that could execute every part of the game and he was the perfect teammate.”

“He was the glue that held our diverse team together,” said Assistant Coach for Player Development Bobby Jackson. “I’m proud to call Vlade a friend and work closely with him as we build the new era of Kings basketball.”

Stay current with all the events of Vlade’s Hall of Fame induction this weekend on Kings social media channels and Kings.com!

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Kings Legends Reflect on Divac’s Hall of Fame Career

On the eve of NBA All-Star Weekend festivities, media from around the globe get their chance to talk to each team's stars.

While teams and players from around the Association are featured, Sactown still managed to make headlines.

De'Aaron Fox, when asked who the best shooter in Sacramento is, revealed a former player actually has the leg up.

"Him [Peja Stojakovic] and Buddy actually go at it every once in awhile," Swipa admitted. "Peja usually wins though, so he's probably still the best shooter in the organization."

Buddy Hield is competing in the NBA 3-Point Contest on Saturday, coincidentally, becoming the first Kings player to participate since Peja in 2004.

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Fox Weighs-in on Best Shooter Debate: Buddy or Peja?

Basketball may not be here yet, but a few members of the Kings organization were ready to play some ball.

During the annual Season Ticket Member BBQ at Raley Field, Kings legends and front office executives Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic, rookie big man Marvin Bagley III and President of Business Operations John Rinehart all stopped by to hang out with Kings Season Ticket Members.

Autographs were signed, pictures were taken and the fun culminated in all four of the Kings representatives taking the mound for their first pitch moment prior to the River Cats game.

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Kings Season Ticket Members Play Ball at BBQ

awhedbee

The Sacramento Kings today announced that Peja Stojakovic will serve as Assistant General Manager, according to General Manager Vlade Divac.

In his role, Stojakovic will support Divac in front office responsibilities, including management of player development, talent evaluation and oversight of the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings.

“I am thrilled to announce that Peja will serve in this expanded role,” said Divac. “His experience as a player and basketball executive combined with his ability to develop players and assess talent is a valuable asset to the Kings.”

Stojakovic assumes his role after spending the previous three seasons as an executive with the team, most recently serving as Vice President of Basketball and Team Development. In addition to player development responsibilities, the former Kings standout and NBA champion assisted the front office in domestic and international scouting efforts and oversaw the team’s D-League affiliate.   

Selected 14th overall in the 1996 NBA Draft by Sacramento after playing six seasons overseas (four for Greek powerhouse POAK), the Serbian-born sharpshooter helped form a nucleus that would go on to participate in the postseason in each of his seven seasons in a Kings uniform. A three-time All-Star, his resume features back-to-back Three-Point Contest victories at All-Star Saturday night in 2002 and 2003. A 13-year NBA veteran, he accrued averages of 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 804 contests with the Kings (1998-2006), Indiana Pacers (2006), New Orleans Hornets (2006-2010), Toronto Raptors (2010-2011) and Dallas Mavericks (2011), where he won an NBA Championship. 

Stojakovic continues to pace the Kings annals in several shooting categories, ranking first in franchise and Sacramento-era history in three-pointers made (1,070) and attempted (2,867). He retired from basketball in 2011 and returned to Sacramento in 2015 to serve as an executive in the front office. In honor of his accomplishments as a King, his No. 16 jersey hangs in the Golden 1 Center rafters.  