<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Should the Shaquille O'Neal trade to Miami go through, as expected, you can safely expect Gary Payton to seek his own escape from the Lakers. League sources told ESPN.com on Sunday night that Payton will push this week for a buyout of his contract if the Lakers complete the proposed trade with the Heat that would bring Lamar Odom, Brian Grant, Caron Butler and a future first-round pick to Los Angeles Payton, sources said, has serious reservations about what the Lakers can achieve without a recognized power player joining them in O'Neal's place. Without O'Neal, sources added, Payton has lost the teammate who lured him to Los Angeles. Lakers sources, however, indicated that the club would be reluctant to let Payton go without compensation.</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/stor...marc&id=1838214
I was just reading this article as well. Payton is an idiot if he picked up this next season not wanting to play for the Lakers. He could have been a free agent and gone to any team he wanted, but he wants a buyout to become a free agent? That's just a cheap way of taking money from a team IMO, and that's rediculous. He exercised the option for another year, so it's his fault. It really annoys me to see him do this, it just sounds so greedy to me. If he wanted to be a free agent just don't exercise your damn option for this season, why the hell should the Lakers pay him to leave? Rediculous.
Gary could have been a free agent and gone to any team he wanted, but he wants a buyout to become a free agent? That's just a cheap way of taking money from a team IMO, and that's rediculous. He exercised the option for another year, so it's his fault. Why should the Lakers pay him money to leave, when if he wanted out he could have easily done so. It really annoys me to see him do this, and it just sounds so greedy to me. If he wanted to be a free agent he shouldn't have exercised his damn option for this season.
Well, Payton could very well be that piece we need to trade for a big man...I definietly wouldn't buy him out, he's too much of a trade asset to just give away uncompensated
You should involve yourselves in a three-way deal, involving a S&T for Dampier... Dampier to LAL Payton and George to ...? ...? to Golden State
The situation just totally changed, I think payton wanted to try things all over with the same team but no phillip. he is now seeing that it isnt going to happen, dont forget there is a deadline to exercise his option so its not like he had all summer he made a decision at that time, and with guys like nash, hudson and alston out there where was he gonna go? The wnba?
man i would love to see george and payton to GState for Dampier but realistically that just isn't going to happen...who would want devean...devean blows =T i still think payton has a couple good years left in him still if hes playing in the right team structure...the triangle just wasnt for him...oh well...i still like him as a player and hope he ends up somewhere where he can finish his career strong...dampier would be very nice though...i wonder if that happened if the lakers would try something a lil different and play a lineup like Kobe, Caron, Odom, Grant, Dampier...
This is pathetic on Payton's part, but good thing for us. He will be good trade bit. I think we are going to go after Dampier with Payton and George. I also believe this will bring Fisher back. He will get his starting position back and get to partner up with Kobe. Fisher proved last year he was better than Payton and in that case this move could be very good if the Lakers use it the right way.
I guess the question is... what team could use Payton and George? Most contenders are set at the PG and wing. Charlotte could absorb their contracts, but I doubt they want them.
Gary Payton is pathetic. He could've left on his own terms, but now is thinking about a buyout? And is now concerned about Shaq departing for what looks like Miami? I have to admit...even though it's the offseason, hasn't it been fun sitting on the edge of your seat awaiting the next Laker episode of a soap opera? Here's what we have to do. We have to pursue Erick Dampier. Whether we do a sign and trade or a 3-way trade, he's pretty much the only big man left out there. He had an excellent season last year, he has the size and athleticism, and his wants are only 10 mil a year. If we can afford that in our budget of course. I'm not ready yet to give up on Payton since his logical excuse was the triangle offense and he couldn't adjust to that system. Now with Rudy T coming in, maybe he can draw up better plays for him to run the offense better.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting RiverspoonJones:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess the question is... what team could use Payton and George? Most contenders are set at the PG and wing. Charlotte could absorb their contracts, but I doubt they want them.</div> Well, payton has value because his contract ends after the season, so a team seeking to free up cap space would be interested...that team could be someone like Portland (where GP happened to play college ball too)...perhaps there is a 3-team scenerio where GP ends up in Portland, and the Lakers end up with Dampier....or wouldn't it be great if the Lakers could get their hands on Theo Ratlff...
Wow are the Lakers screwed. This is the '92 Lakers all over again. If Shaquille O'Neal is going to be traded, they have to get a great player in return. Odom, who's the best in that trade, isn't a GREAT player. They should of traded with Mavericks to get Nowitzki. As for Payton, he just needs to stay. They can't afford having no true PG or having an unexperienced PG.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chungster:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow are the Lakers screwed. This is the '92 Lakers all over again. If Shaquille O'Neal is going to be traded, they have to get a great player in return. Odom, who's the best in that trade, isn't a GREAT player. They should of traded with Mavericks to get Nowitzki. As for Payton, he just needs to stay. They can't afford having no true PG or having an unexperienced PG.</div> They're not screwed. They're going to get a couple of very good and young players for Shaq. And, for a team who didn't have much youth last year, this is great for them. And if you want to go there, Stephen A. mentioned on ESPN that Lamar Odom could possibly play some point guard next year, and he is very capable of doing it. But, I do believe they'll get at least a descent one if Gary leaves so they don't have to go to that option. But, about the Mavs thing. They didn't want Shaq in the West. That was a big thing to them. Also, the Mavs were not going to give up Nowitzki. He was deemed untouchable by Cuban and he wasn't go to give in with that, he was making sure it stayed that way. And after Nash was lost, them trading to Dallas became a lot less likely cause the Lakers wanted a package of Nash, Nowitzki, and someone else. And, since Nash was gone, that deal was pretty much shot. And, like I said, it was dead from the get go cause the Lakers wanted Dirk and Cuban refused to trade him.
Im sorry, but getting some real talent should be the Lakers motivation in this trade, not movin O'neal as far away as possible. What possible good does it do them to pick up 3 players only one of whom might make an impact next season. They need to be more worried about winning their division instead of worrying what O'neal is going to do to them over the span of 4 games during the regular season. but thats just my $0.02
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">They're not screwed. They're going to get a couple of very good and young players for Shaq. And, for a team who didn't have much youth last year, this is great for them. And if you want to go there, Stephen A. mentioned on ESPN that Lamar Odom could possibly play some point guard next year, and he is very capable of doing it. But, I do believe they'll get at least a descent one if Gary leaves so they don't have to go to that option. But, about the Mavs thing. They didn't want Shaq in the West. That was a big thing to them. Also, the Mavs were not going to give up Nowitzki. He was deemed untouchable by Cuban and he wasn't go to give in with that, he was making sure it stayed that way. And after Nash was lost, them trading to Dallas became a lot less likely cause the Lakers wanted a package of Nash, Nowitzki, and someone else. And, since Nash was gone, that deal was pretty much shot. And, like I said, it was dead from the get go cause the Lakers wanted Dirk and Cuban refused to trade him.</div> I totally expected this from Payton. he's been a canker to the team. It would work out well if the Lakers could trade him. maybe make a run for ming? maybe Payton and Odom for Ming and other? i doubt it would happen cuz now houston has the 1-2 punch.
houston aint trading yao no way no how...they wouldnt even trade yao for shaq...if yao leaves its gonna hafta be 2 years from now in free agency...the lakers are far from screwed in my opinion...butler had an off year because he tried to come back from his injuries too soon but he got it back at the end of the season and in the playoffs...definitely an upgrade for us at the swing spots with odom and caron...i like this trade if we can bring a competent big man to LA ala ratliff or dampier in a trade for payton..
Ming wouldn't be traded. He is the Houston franchise. He's the person they're trying to build around down there now. So he's not going anywhere. So harbinger, you're calling Odom, Butler, and Grant, namely the first two in particular, bad? You say they have no talent. That's crap. Butler and Odom in particular have a ton of talent. Butler is a great defensive player and he's going to be a good offensive player, actually, he already is good on offense. Odom has tons of talent. The man is 6'10" and is capable of playing any position except center. They will each make an impact in my opinion. They each have a ton of talent and a ton of potential left. But, to go and say the Lakers get no talent in this deal, that's just a load of bull. You obviously know nothing about the NBA or either of those players in particular if you don't think they have any talent.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting harbingerofdoom:</div><div class="quote_post">Im sorry, but getting some real talent should be the Lakers motivation in this trade, not movin O'neal as far away as possible. What possible good does it do them to pick up 3 players only one of whom might make an impact next season. They need to be more worried about winning their division instead of worrying what O'neal is going to do to them over the span of 4 games during the regular season. but thats just my $0.02</div> Where could we have found the real talent when all these other GM's would hesitate about giving us their best players in return? Mark Cuban didn't want to trade Dirk, he allowed Nash to walk over to Phoenix, I'm sure Indiana didn't want to part ways with Jermaine O'Neal, and there would be no way on this earth we'd ever make a deal with our archrivals. So Kupchak found the best deal possible by getting in return Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, and Brian Grant. Besides Grant, I like Odom and Butler. Both of these individuals are proven jumpshooters, young, athletic, with tremendous upside. Even though Odom did have issues with the other LA team the Clippers, I firmly believe his career will soar to new heights as a Los Angeles Laker. This is a good trade, and if Kobe returns, the Lakers will be a playoff team, but they'll no longer be an intimidating force by our Western Conference opponents.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">I like Odom and Butler. Both of these individuals are proven jumpshooters, young, athletic, with tremendous upside. Even though Odom did have issues with the other LA team the Clippers, I firmly believe his career will soar to new heights as a Los Angeles Laker. This is a good trade, and if Kobe returns, the Lakers will be a playoff team, but they'll no longer be an intimidating force by our Western Conference opponents.</div> Well, I wouldn't call them "proven jumpshooters." Odom is very streaky from the perimeter and Butler's J leaves a lot to be desired.... I love Butler's game, and I think Grant will be a good complimentrary player if he is returned to his natural position of PF...however, personally I've never been a big fan of Odom...I know he has talent, but I'm having difficulty picturing him with Kobe..If the lakers can turn around and deal him away for a big man and some shooters, I'd do it in a second...
Its obvious Payton wants his ring. He knows the lakers are rebuilding right about now and knows they wont win it all. Hes probably trying to go with Shaq to Miami. Afer all Miami needs a PG and payton might be what they need. Payton will not get traded he wil leave on his own. He will buy him seflf out. He doesnt want to lose Shaq( the man who recruited him). Also Kobe isnt a good recruiter because hes a seflish little ***** and not a very good leader. Dont get me wrong Kobe is a GREat player top 4. I also remember reading a post that had a good point. MJs teamates played cards with him even tho he was a biotch too but MJ was respected. Kobe isnt respected. Shaq was good at recruiting bringing them in because he also was respected. That i probably why Payton wants to leave. Malone will also leave. Possibly signing with the Heat too and the Heat will become last years lakers but better. lol im just hoping.
