Report: Pacers’ Stojakovic opts out of contract

According to the Indianapolis Star, Stojakovic said during the regular season that he would become a free agent once the season ended.

Stojakovic, who was scheduled to make $8.2 million next season, can now sign with any team when the free agent negotiating period begins July 1. Teams can begin signing players on July 12.

The Pacers traded troubled forward Ron Artest in exchange for Stojakovic on January 25. He averaged 19.5 points and shot 46 percent from the field in 40 games with the Pacers.

However, Stojakovic missed four of the six games with a right knee injury in the first round of the playoffs against the New Jersey Nets. The Pacers lost each game he didn’t play.

Stojakovic averages 18.4 points per game 5.1 rebounds and two assists per game during his nine-year career with the Pacers and the Kings.

Indiana can sign him for up to six years, while other teams can only sign him for five due to the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement.