SEATTLE – Gary Payton
of the Seattle SuperSonics would
accept a trade – to a contender.
| |  | |
| Payton |
"I'm not going to go to a team that's losing," Payton said
after Tuesday's practice. "I think that would be disrespectful to
me to trade me to somebody like that.
"I'm going to have to go to a team that's winning and that I'm
going to feel comfortable with. I'm not going to anybody."
For the first time in Payton's 11-year career in Seattle, the
Sonics say he is not untouchable in trade talks. General manager
Wally Walker has said he will listen to offers for any player on
his team, including Payton.
The 32-year-old Payton became the Sonics' all-time leading
scorer this season and is averaging 22.5 points, 8.3 assists and
1.49 steals.
Payton helped the Sonics reach the NBA Finals against the
Chicago Bulls in 1996, but the 2001 Sonics are in danger of missing
the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. They have not
won a playoff series since 1998.
It is unlikely the Sonics will deal Payton before Thursday's NBA
trading deadline, but Seattle's group of new owners could decide to
rebuild the franchise this summer by trading the All-Star point
guard.
Payton would rather stay in Seattle to complete his career, but
he also knows he has a lot of trade value.
"This is a business," Payton said. "I want to stay, but I
can't control nothing."
Payton made his seventh All-Star game, but he also has run afoul
of coaches Paul Westphal and Nate McMillan this season.
Westphal and McMillan each suspended Payton, but Westphal
rescinded his suspension. McMillan, who replaced the fired Westphal
Nov. 27, suspended Payton for one game following a shouting match
after a game against Phoenix on Jan. 17.
Payton has been playing at less than 100 percent because of a
strained abdominal muscle that caused him to miss the second and
third games of his career because of injuries.
Payton hasn't given up on this Sonics' season, although the team
has lost to Boston and Atlanta at home since the All-Star break to
fall to 28-26.
"I can't be disappointed yet," Payton said. "We still can
make a run for the playoffs."
Payton teammates Vin Baker, Ruben Patterson, Brent Barry and Shammond Williams also have been mentioned in trade speculation.
The trade talk swirling around the Sonics has been a
distraction, according to McMillan, who scolded the media following
Tuesday's practice.
"What I first want to say is that some of us are writing some
inaccurate stories," McMillan said. "These guys have enough to
worry about with the trade deadline coming up. To write stories
that upset these guys and get these guys concerned is wrong."
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
|
|
ALSO SEE
ESPN The Magazine: Face Time
AUDIO VIDEO
 ESPN's David Aldridge with the latest trade news as the NBA trade deadline draws near.
wav: 1141 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
|
