It would be far easier If Payton signed for Seattle next summer instead of trading for this season. It's possible the Sonics may lose AD through free-agency (He has a player option) which I'm sure he will look for more money instead of getting paid the 2 million a season he is getting now. Wouldn't be at all surprised If he got anything from 30-35 million from some team. So going after Payton to back-up Luke wouldn't be a bad idea. Of course saying that, GP would only be interested If the Sonics kept basically the same core togeather.
^ That is probably the most likely scenario. I would look for both AD and Vlad to be getting somewhere around 40 million (the MLE over six years), and if Ray does re-sign in Seattle, chances are we'll be looking for a back-up point guard. GP could easily fill that role behind Luke, but A) Would he settle for that and Would he come if Vlad wasn't here? Obviously AD leaving would benefit GP, but Vlad has been crucial to our success this season.
