SRB - Hornets sign Stojakovic

OKLAHOMA CITY (NBA) - The New Orleans Hornets have completed the signing of Serbia & Montenegro international forward Peja Stojakovic.

In 558 career regular-season games, the three-time All-Star has averaged 18.4 points while shooting just over 46% from the floor. He has also averaged 17.1 points in 59 play-off games.

"One of our top priorities this summer was to add a sharp-shooting scorer who could stretch the defence and knock down shots off of penetration," Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said. "We're thrilled that we signed the best player available on the free agent market to fill that role."

It is the third team in the last two seasons for Stojakovic, who spent his first seven seasons with Sacramento before being traded to Indiana in a deal for Ron Artest in January.

In 40 games with the Pacers, Stojakovic averaged 19.5 points while shooting 46% from the floor. However, the 6ft 10in forward missed four of the club's six play-off games against New Jersey with a knee injury.

The 29-year-old joins a Hornets team that, despite being left without a home following the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina, enjoyed a 20-win improvement and was in the play-off race until the final week in the competitive Western Conference before finishing with a 38-44 record.

The Hornets had a need for an outside presence after finishing 25th in the league in scoring and 26th in shooting percentage last year.

Stojakovic would more than fill that need since he is a career 40 percent three-point shooter. He and Seattle's Ray Allen are the only two players to make at least 100 three-pointers in each of the past seven seasons.

Stojakovic is due to sit out the FIBA World Championship this summer after suffering a knee injury last season, but is expected to return to international duty in time for EuroBasket 2007.

PA Sport