Payton to quit Basketball

[MrBug708]

Stick a fork in him, he's done. He doesn't want to move to Boston to play for the Celtics

[IMetTrentGreen]

good for him. what does this mean to the trade?

[Comey]

Markus Banks and a draft pick were rescinded, Jumaine Jones was added.

[Anthony]

he's 36 and proved he's in a bad decline. why the Celtics would want him at this point is beyond me.

but - i do see where Payton is coming from. the Lakers got him to sign for the exception, then traded him. i'm sure he wouldn't have picked up his option had he known they would have shipped him out. he menioned wanting to go to the Rockets, Timberwolves or Clippers - but i don't see how any of those 3 would want him. his best bet is a return to Seattle or perhaps going to Miami or Dallas.

[MrBug708]

Wish we knew this before we had to let Fisher walk....

[pennywisesb]

Wish we knew this before we had to let Fisher walk....
Why would they try to trade Payton AFTER they (the Lakers) already knew Fisher was gone?

[Eaglesfan27]

Why would they try to trade Payton AFTER they (the Lakers) already knew Fisher was gone?

Because Kobe has convinced them he can do his best Bugs Bunny impression?

[chinaski]

The Celtics/Lakers deal is most likely off without Payton involved. Banks and the picks and the Jones substitution was only made because GP refused the physical. With him flat out refusing to play in Boston, this will most likely end the deal. Who the hell wants Foxxy?

Good for Payton, screw the backstabbin Lakers!

[Blackadar]

The Celtics/Lakers deal is most likely off without Payton involved. Banks and the picks and the Jones substitution was only made because GP refused the physical. With him flat out refusing to play in Boston, this will most likely end the deal. Who the hell wants Foxxy?

Good for Payton, screw the backstabbin Lakers!

I wouldn't be so sure. The trade was redone because Payton didn't report, so I don't think it matters.

Fox is retiring, so the Cs get some cap relief. They get rid of Chucky Atkins' salary and Chris Mhim, who likely wouldn't have played much this year and Jones (ditto) for the Lakers' #1 choice. That's not a bad trade in and of itself.

Plus, if Payton wants to go to a certain team (ahem, Portland or Phoenix), then the Cs can package players together (Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks, #1 choices, etc.) to get either Marion or SAR.

[Neuqua]

Why would the Lakers want to trade the only bargaining chips they have (ending contracts) for Mihm, and Jones?

[Blackadar]

Why would the Lakers want to trade the only bargaining chips they have (ending contracts) for Mihm, and Jones?

To get rid of Payton. :)

They originally didn't. They wanted Banks. But when Payton got pissed and didn't report, the Cs pulled Banks off the table and substituted Jones.

There's some speculation that Payton was so angry the Lakers couldn't/wouldn't take him back. So they were stuck in making a lesser deal with the Celtics just to be rid of the headache.

[pennywisesb]

Plus, if Payton wants to go to a certain team (ahem, Portland or Phoenix), then the Cs can package players together (Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks, #1 choices, etc.) to get either Marion or SAR.

I think Portland is trying to get away from players like GP or Ricky Davis. I can't see GP in Portland.

[MrBug708]

Why would the Lakers want to trade the only bargaining chips they have (ending contracts) for Mihm, and Jones?

They want Mihm as a backup player

[chinaski]

I wouldn't be so sure. The trade was redone because Payton didn't report, so I don't think it matters.

Fox is retiring, so the Cs get some cap relief. They get rid of Chucky Atkins' salary and Chris Mhim, who likely wouldn't have played much this year and Jones (ditto) for the Lakers' #1 choice. That's not a bad trade in and of itself.

Plus, if Payton wants to go to a certain team (ahem, Portland or Phoenix), then the Cs can package players together (Ricky Davis, Marcus Banks, #1 choices, etc.) to get either Marion or SAR.

Very true, i didnt think about it that way.

Screw the backstabbin Lakers!! :)

[stevew]

If Payton asks the Celtics to cut him, and he walks away from all of his money, I believe it throws the Celtics under the "luxury tax level." Its possible that this was Ainges goal from the beginning, knowing GP would be a bitch and not show up.

[Kam]

Being a Lakers fan, from what I could see, especially late in the season , Payton quit a long time ago...

[PsychoCop]

Eh. I still think GP has a couple of seasons left in him. Let's face it, the triangle offense is certainly no place for a playmaking PG. All the PG has to do in the triangle is wait for the kick-out pass for the open three... (BJ Armstrong, John Paxson, Steve Kerr, Derek Fisher)

[MrBug708]

Eh. I still think GP has a couple of seasons left in him. Let's face it, the triangle offense is certainly no place for a playmaking PG. All the PG has to do in the triangle is wait for the kick-out pass for the open three... (BJ Armstrong, John Paxson, Steve Kerr, Derek Fisher)

I'm sure he can score still, but he's about as useful on D as Antoine Walker

[Danny]

If Payton couldnt give a damn when the Lakers were in the NBA finals, I doub't he'll give a damn that his skills are declining. Meaning, he won't work harder and smarter because of that fact.

He's done as a worthwhile starter in the NBA.