http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/81242_sonx03.shtml Payton's agent asks for trade Sonics star looking for loyalty, security Saturday, August 3, 2002 By DANNY O'NEIL SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER Gary Payton's desire for a contract extension has bubbled in the background since the season ended. The issue boiled over this week. Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said that a trade would be in Payton's best interest, after the Sonics refused to offer an extension to his seven-year, $88 million contract that expires after next season. "It's disappointing for Gary, because loyalty is big in this business and he's not seeing it with the Sonics, and he has been there for 12 years," Goodwin said. "I think that a trade would be the best option." But Payton has not asked the Sonics for a trade. Even if he did, there's no guarantee that would happen this summer. The only thing certain about the situation is that Payton wants a longer contract, and the Sonics want him to play the final year before making a decision. Payton discussed the situation with general manager Rick Sund last month. "We did talk, but that was a private conversation," Sund said. "That was between Gary and I, but we hope after next year it will be a situation we want to move forward with him, and he wants to continue here, but we'll address that situation when we come to it." Payton is 34, the oldest player on the youngest playoff team in the Western Conference. Those are two reasons why the team wants to wait until after the season to discuss another contract, both to make sure Payton maintains his level of play and that he still fits with a team full of younger players. But Payton wants the security of longer contract, said Goodwin. "He would prefer that they move him to a team that would be more interested in his future, and looked at it as an opportunity to give him the security he wants," Goodwin said. Payton also requested an extension last summer, saying he sought it as a reward since he was playing the best basketball of his career. Last season, he averaged 22.1 points and a career-high 9 assists. But in the NBA, giving an extension to a player in his mid-30s is the exception, not the rule. David Robinson, John Stockton and Tim Hardaway are recent examples of players who did not receive extensions, but played out an existing contract before discussing a new deal. Robinson and Stockton stayed with their respective teams (Spurs, Jazz); Hardaway (Heat) did not. Payton, the league's highest-paid point guard, will make more than $13 million next season. He has played his entire career with Seattle, is the franchise's top scorer, and has made eight All-Star teams. He is the only Sonic remaining from the team that went to the NBA Finals in 1996. But Payton hasn't returned coach Nate McMillan's phone messages since the team acquired Kenny Anderson almost two weeks ago. Payton played out his last contract before negotiating the new deal in 1997. But that scenario was different. He was 27, entering the prime of his career, and the salary cap was increasing. This off-season, the salary cap declined for the first time in league history, and as Payton approaches the twilight of his career, he is seeking the security of an extension. According to Goodwin, Payton spoke with principal owner Howard Schultz at the end of May and was told the team's plan was for him to play three or four more seasons in Seattle, then move to the front office. Goodwin did not say there was any commitment to extending the existing contract. "Just the fact that Howard brought it up made Gary feel good that the Sonics were thinking of him and looking out for his future," Goodwin said. Although the Sonics have denied Payton's request for an extension, that doesn't mean he is not a part of their future -- only that the team wants to wait to make a decision about that future.
I wish Payton the best. He got screwed by two bums...Kemp and Baker. He deserves a shot at the big time again. San Antonio should go for him. Or Boston. Or Minnesota. Or Indiana.
I say Golden Stae. He would be a good peice for that team to finally succeed... I don't know what they would give Jamison, that white guy? Who knows, Payton would love it.
If Golden State gave up Jamison or Dunleavy they wouldn't have anyone in the frontcourt to score any points.Payton would be better off going to a team that could potentially win a championship.
ZRB, relax. A contract extension cannot be extended for less salary than the last yr of the previous contract. That is why owners want it to run out, so they can offer a reduced rate. Extending at $13m is pretty steep for a 35yr old (the age of the 1st yr of the extension). It might simply be an owner who wants him to sign for $9m instead. Afterall, that is the precedence of the other vets mentioned in the article. And Payton's agent might be trying to make it look like Seattle wants to let him go.
Look for Milwaukee to show some interest in Payton. George Karl would definitely like to be reunited with his former PG and Sam Cassell has been discussed as bait for a long time. A possible trade could be Gary Payton to Milwaukee for Sam Cassell and the first rounder Milwaukee just acquired from Atlanta.
Please oh please trade him to the Eastern Conference. He better not be traded to Minnesota or San Antonio!
I would like to see him get traded to San Antonio. Then the Spurs would have a legitimate championship shot. It might make it a little tougher on the Rockets but by the time we are ready to contend GP's skills will be deteriorating.
Not many teams have talent to give Seattle in return. With Seattle rebuilding, you'd think they'd want picks plus a frontcourt player, and they'd want to unload one of their stiff frontcourt contracts. So, GP plus Calvin Booth, for 18 mil, in exchange for a young pf, pg and picks, or expiring contracts. I don't see any teams that can do that. SA could offer DRob and Tony Parker plus picks. If not that, Seattle has to settle for just dumping his contract for picks. Who'd want GP, and can offer an expiring contract and a good chance at high picks? Milwaukee could afford to deal Sam Cassell, Micheal Redd and picks for GP. That could put them over the top. Otherwise, I don't see a lot out there.
i'm thinking the wolves would like to deal for Payton. the spurs have no one to trade with good or pretty good value. wolves would trade brandon, sczerbiak, and felipe lopez sonics would trade payton and either radamonic or desmond mason. brandon's off the books in 2 years, lopez would be a free agent after this year so the only person that would need a long term contract is sczerbiak. seriously, if the sonics are interested, the wolves better make it look good.
If I'm New Jersey and Kidd is thinking about leaving I'd send him to Seattle. He wants to go to the West Coast then send him to Seattle and take Gary Payton!
Putting GP in Portland would guarantee a matchup capable of beating the Lakers. The Lakers never had success against Seattle in the regular season and GP is a huge part of it. Kobe can't guard Payton as well as he can with the other guards, and Gary would give Portland a legit playmaker instead of Scottie handling the dirty work. But that will never happen since Whitsit and Seattle are bitter enemies till the end.
Gary Payton is a punk, has been his whole career.....The Rocks need to be careful...Francis is showing the same punkish tendencies. DD
