When Jason Kidd was traded to New Jersey he said he was miserable and that he would "serve his time" in Jersey and then get out ASAP! Although he has had a succesful time in Jersey, does he still want out? Kidd is the ideal point guard for any team, great passer, good defender, and a veteran, love to see him in the blue and red! Also Gary Payton was dealt from his long time home in Seattle after an already great career. He'll be able to go to anywhere that can afford him next season too! GP is a great veteran with a great view of everything that's going on, on the court, great defense, loves to post and kick, and is a clutch player. A great fit in Houston, can we afford him? Play either of these to players at the 1 and put Stevie at the 2 where he belongs anyway. The only problem is can we afford them? Drop Posey who's another free agent, and maybe trade Rice for nothing just to get rid of his contract, and you've got: 1- Payton or Kidd 2- Francis 3- Mobley/Boki/Griffin 4- Taylor/Griffin 5- YAO/Cato With a lineup like that, tell me we wouldn't make the playoffs!
What happened to TMo? Cause you really do not want Mobley at the 3. He's only 6'4''... And Boki is still untested, and Griffin has no friggin' D. I dunno if Kidd can guard some of the really fast and bigger 2's, but I expect it could work out alright, and Payton would probly be just fine.. 'cept he's getting a lil' old. Plus would these two even consider coming to Houston? They're looking for rings fast, and I'd think they consider some other teams first.
True true, forgot about TMo, he showed good play in short minutes, but I doubt Rudy will give him more chances. Seems like no matter how good he did, he just sat and collected splinters. As for those guys looking for rings, that's probably true, but who can afford them? Seriously doubt any top contenders (Dallas, Sac., LA, San. An.) could be able to fork up the cash that they would have to, so I'm just crossing my fingers, 'cause it'd be sweet.
I think TMo will be given more pt next season at both the 3 and 4. Plus if the other teams really wanted Kidd or Payton, couldn't they also trade off some of their contracts? Maybe? I dunno how NBA salaries work... Anyways, yeah, it would be great to have Kidd or Payton on the team.. I'd prefer Kidd though.
I think Payton would be a natural for the Rockets to look at. He has the veteran leadership, court vision, and defensive skills to guard a SG that the Rockets would need for their new point guard. See yesterday's article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal: Ball is in Payton's court By CHARLES F. GARDNER cgardner@journalsentinel.com Last Updated: May 1, 2003 When Gary Payton walked off the Bradley Center floor Thursday night, he might have been making his last appearance in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform. The veteran point guard, after just 34 games with the Bucks and a first-round playoff exit courtesy of the New Jersey Nets, will be a free agent on July 1. The nine-time National Basketball Association all-star is expected to test the free-agent market and seek a contract that could be the last of his professional career. After spending almost 13 full seasons in Seattle and gaining fame and fortune in the Pacific Northwest, Payton brought a toughness and grit that the Bucks were lacking. He and small forward Desmond Mason arrived in a blockbuster deal on Feb. 20 that sent Bucks star Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie and Ronald Murray to the SuperSonics. But Payton, who had 24 points and eight assists in the Bucks' decisive 113-101 loss on Thursday, was unable to lead the Bucks on a deep Eastern Conference playoff run. "I've been in the league for 13 years, and I want to get back to where I was in '96 to get to a championship," Payton said after the Bucks were ousted. "It's going to play a big factor. "I'm going to take my time with it. And the right decision is going to be my last decision. Three weeks or four weeks will come, and I'll make it known where I want to be." After the trade was made, the Bucks were 15-13 in the final weeks of the regular season to finish at 42-40, with Payton guiding the team and forming a tough tandem with Sam Cassell in the backcourt. Milwaukee won Game 2 on the road and Game 4 at home against the second-seeded Nets but lost twice at home and dropped the series, four games to two. "Any team will change when you get a different group of guys that comes in," Payton said. "They (the Bucks) were a perimeter team shooting jump shots, and they were trying to rely on outshooting people. "Now we are more of a penetrating team, we kick it out, and then we try to play defense. Before I joined this team, they weren't like that. Ray Allen is not on this team any more, a lot of guys aren't here no more. "We're a penetrating team and playing defense and slashing. That's what we are." But what will the Bucks be and how will their mode of play change if Payton no longer is around? That will be the multimillion-dollar question for Bucks general manager Ernie Grunfeld and coach George Karl to answer. Both have said they hope Payton will consider re-signing with the Bucks. "My feeling is we made two really good steps," Karl said of the February trade. "In general, our organization was fearful we would not have made the playoffs if we didn't make the move." If Payton ultimately wants to go elsewhere, the Bucks could do a sign-and-trade arrangement that could net several young players and possibly some much needed help at the power forward position. Mason, who started in 25 of 28 regular-season games and all six playoff games, is under contract through the 2003-'04 season. The Bucks owe the SuperSonics a draft pick in the trade, and it could take several forms. Seattle either will get Milwaukee's first-round pick, which is the 14th overall selection in the June 26 draft, or it will get the Bucks' two second-round picks. If Atlanta does not move up to one of the top three slots in the draft lottery, the Bucks will receive the Hawks' first-round pick (No. 8 through No. 11) and maintain their two second-round choices. Karl was not disappointed in the contributions of Payton, who averaged 19.6 points, 7.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 28 regular-season games with Milwaukee. Payton, who will turn 35 in July, is in the final year of a seven-year, $85 million contract he signed with Seattle. It is thought that Payton, who has never won an NBA championship, will strongly consider an upper-echelon team with a dominant big man. When the Bucks made the trade for Payton, he said he would think about his future when the season was over. "That's got to come in the summer," Payton said. "With my body, I don't get hurt too much, and I bless God for that. "I'm not slowing down. I'm not missing games, and I'm still playing 40 minutes a night. "I don't want to be in this game that long. I've got kids, and they're getting older, and I know they're getting tired of this basketball, too. But I do want to play about four or five more years, and hopefully that will be it for me." Payton's wife, Monique, and three children, Raquel, Gary II and Julian, stayed in Seattle after the trade was made to keep the children in school. They made the trip to Milwaukee for the Bucks' first two home playoff games. "I've got to weigh all my options, think about my wife, my kids," Payton said of his decision. "I don't want to keep moving them from city to city. I can't do that." http://www.jsonline.com/sports/buck/may03/137918.asp ___________________________ If the Bucks want help in the PF position, and young players, how about Griffin and Mobley for Payton in a sign and trade? I would do that deal.
Payton said he wants to go to a contender...so I'm assuming that the Rockets don't figure into his plans. He might be a good fit in a place like Boston, LAL, Orlando or Minnesota.
We could a' been a contender, we could a' been somebody! Remember when Houston always seemed to come up with free agents wanting to go to a "contender"? Not anymore. That's why I don't see either guy coming here.
Payton would be great, probably too expensive. I'm sure Rudy will bring in some proven veterens, especially since his job is on the line.
I have held Gary Peyton very highly for a long time. Observing him in the playoffs, I think that his level of playing only occasionally showed his old self. This indicated to me that his level is dropping off and has a limited playing time left as a top Point Guard.
bleh.....think about this for a sec. Pippen wants to reunite with Phil. Malone wants to win a ring. Glove wants to win a ring. this is scary... LAL C- Shaq PF- Malone SF- Pippen SG- Bryant PG- Payton bleh...looks like an allstar game from 4 years ago....
It would be just like Pippen to jump on the bandwagon and ride Shaq and Kobe for a few more rings. He's done it before... What is with all these players wanting to "go to a contender"? What if MJ had the same thought process in 1989? I thought great players were supposed to make their OWN teams contenders, not jump on someone else's.
IF we could land Payton S&T - I bet it would be a poison pill kind of deal. Payton + cap trash (Mason?) for Taylor and Rice or Cato and Rice. No thanks. GP is not the same guy. The only Buck I like is Micheal Redd.
My idea: Sign Jason Kidd Trade Mobley and Morris and Moochie to Lakers for Devean George, Horry and Jennari Pargo. We get veteran leadership, shooters and defense. Let Posey go. Lineup: Jason Kidd/ Pargo Francis/Hawkins George/Horry/Nachbar Griffin(hopefully will develop)/Taylor Yao/Cato With this lineup we have passers and scorers and veterans. I think world champions. Why Lakers would do it: They want to get a third option offensively and I dont think that they can sign Malone or Pippen, so they will look to Mobley. They trade one PG scrub, get another. They get Morris who is a decent defender and shooter, equivalent to George. Trade Horry because he is old and will probably demand trade (dying daughter in Houston, would want to go there) LA lineup: Derek Fisher/Rush/Moochie Mobley Kobe/Morris Madsen/Walker O'Neal/sign backup center
Most true contenders would only offer him, however, the MCE of $4.5 million. The package of Mobley + Griffin would allow Payton to get a 3 to 4 year sign and trade deal starting at around $8 million, a whole lot more money. Milwaukee might consider this deal, because both players we are sending are young and arguably underpaid. I do not see a Milwaukee franchise with an already high payroll, which is up for sale, taking on any overpaid players in return for a sign and trade. With Payton, we would be a "near-contender." This might be good enough for Payton, when weighed against taking half the money if he took the MCE at another club. Payton did say he wants to play 4-5 more years. With Payton, Francis and Yao, at least in a couple years we could be title contenders.
How do the Bucks play Cat and Desmond and Redd? If Bucks/GP do a SnT IMO there will have to be a 'take back' contract where Bucks unload some crap in exchange for guys they might want. Cato and EG? Why not. GP and who else? If DMason, yes...if AMason, NO!
Nice! Heh.....I agree with you totally. He would be great for us. Don't say he is old. But the only thing is why would he want to come here? If he did come here....we could be a contender. I agree with your other post too! To get him.....Mobley and Griffin and Cato....well depends on how much he will be earning. Bucks really need a center. Their centers just SUCK. Griffin would be better than Anthony Mason. Haha. Mobley could fit well there....could. Maybe they aren't happy with some other players and want to trade them away. I like Gary Payton coming to the Rockets. But Jason Kidd....impossible.
