<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Payton to Portland? Seattle Times columnist Steve Kelley says if Gary Payton leaves Los Angeles, a likely destination for him could be Portland: If Jackson stays, the triangle stays and Payton will probably leave. If Jackson goes, Payton will stay. Payton's best option besides the Lakers could be the Portland Trail Blazers. </div> http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/spor...494_kell12.html It will be sweet for Payton to play for the blazers. After all there are still some oregon state beavers payton fan here in Portland.
The more i think about it, the more reasonble it is for Gary to play for us. Just look at Damon, he drible the clock for 15 to 16 seconds. That is what Payton wants: to control the offense. Pass the ball when he feel like it. Or ally-lop to Darius Miles on fast breaks. As long as he gets a ring from the lakers, he can do whatever he wants and play at wherever he wants.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dachen33:</div><div class="quote_post">The more i think about it, the more reasonble it is for Gary to play for us. Just look at Damon, he drible the clock for 15 to 16 seconds. That is what Payton wants: to control the offense. Pass the ball when he feel like it. Or ally-lop to Darius Miles on fast breaks. As long as he gets a ring from the lakers, he can do whatever he wants and play at wherever he wants.</div> What would be your price to get him? I thought that he should have gone to the Blazers last year, but now his stock is at his lowest point in his career. The Blazers already have one of the league's highest payrolls. The question is, Do you want to pay good money for Gary Payton?
Portland would probably sound nice to Gary: -Beautiful state -He played for Oregon St. -It's by the coast, etc. However, I am sorry to break it to ya, but GP says he is leaning towards staying a Laker: When asked what his plans are for next season, Gary Payton smiled. "Well," Payton said, "I'm leaning towards coming back." He didn't say why. It has been a difficult season for Payton and he has been upset with his role in the offense, lashing out at times, hinting that he might opt out of his contract when the season is over. But Payton will be 36 in July, and it looks as if his skills are eroding. He's due to earn $5.4 million next season, the final year of a two-year deal he signed last summer. Because of his poor play, Payton might not get more than the veteran's exception of $1.5 million if he opts out. Payton, who has had his share of run-ins with Coach Phil Jackson, but apparently still wants to play for the Lakers. http://www.pe.com/sports/lakers/notebooks/...es_11.f224.html
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">What would be your price to get him? I thought that he should go to the Blazers last year, but now his stock is at his lowest point in his career. The Blazers already have one of the league's highest payrolls. The question is, Do you want to pay good money for Gary Payton?</div> His stock has most def drop but I think alot of people(me included) have sumed up alot of his decline do to the Lakers system. Alot of Gm's in need of pg help clippers, maybe the Blazers etc would be still willing to take Gp with the thinking that if you take Payton out of the Lakers system, then you can get sum of the old GP back. It shouldnt really cost that much to obtain payton anymore. I think his days of playing for big salary are behind him & I think Payton knows that. This season he played for a championship, next season he will play for his legacy & respect again. I think the Blazers would be a solid fit for GP due to the fact they lack playmaking especially at there guard positions. GP needs the ball in his hands making plays to be affective, portland can once agian provide him with that opportunity. And Gp would love the fact theo Ratliff is behind him, he can finally get some help defense on the pick & rolls something Shaq & the other Laker bigs have not given him this season. So he may even possibly gain back some of his defensive footin as well.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting the MDE:</div><div class="quote_post">Portland would probably sound nice to Gary: -Beautiful state -He played for Oregon St. -It's by the coast, etc. However, I am sorry to break it to ya, but GP says he is leaning towards staying a Laker: When asked what his plans are for next season, Gary Payton smiled. "Well," Payton said, "I'm leaning towards coming back." He didn't say why. It has been a difficult season for Payton and he has been upset with his role in the offense, lashing out at times, hinting that he might opt out of his contract when the season is over. But Payton will be 36 in July, and it looks as if his skills are eroding. He's due to earn $5.4 million next season, the final year of a two-year deal he signed last summer. Because of his poor play, Payton might not get more than the veteran's exception of $1.5 million if he opts out. Payton, who has had his share of run-ins with Coach Phil Jackson, but apparently still wants to play for the Lakers. http://www.pe.com/sports/lakers/notebooks/...es_11.f224.html</div> Do we really wnat GP back ? He has played like a 12th man these whole playoffs...unless PJax already told them that this was his final year, I cant see Payton wearing Purple n Gold next year...I just dont see it, he doesnt like Jackson's offense, he complains about his minutes...he will see the same amount of minutes next year if Fisher resigns with us... I think he could be good for Portland, bring some more Veteran leadership for some of the younger guys like D Miles and Z.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">What would be your price to get him? I thought that he should go to the Blazers last year, but now his stock is at his lowest point in his career. The Blazers already have one of the league's highest payrolls. The question is, Do you want to pay good money for Gary Payton?</div> yes, the blazers have one of the highest paid rolls, BUT damon (14 mil), Dale Davis(9 mil), Shareef (14 mil) all are coming off the blazers paidroll, that is 27 mil to spent. you can sign Shaq, KG, Duncan, Kobe, T-Mac with that amount of money. Payton is wroth it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting dachen33:</div><div class="quote_post">yes, the blazers have one of the highest paid rolls, BUT damon (14 mil), Dale Davis(9 mil), Shareef (14 mil) all are coming off the blazers paidroll, that is 27 mil to spent. you can sign Shaq, KG, Duncan, Kobe, T-Mac with that amount of money. Payton is wroth it.</div> Even though the Blazers' cap would be $27 million less, it doesn't mean that they won't be that much under the cap to sign a big-name FA. I'd rather keep Damon that get Payton. With the way he's playing in the Finals, Payton looks like he should be playing on a minor league contract.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Phreeze:</div><div class="quote_post">^ actually $14mil + 14 mil + 9 mil = 37millon guys...</div> hahha sorry.
