According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune a source close to the SuperSonics said that the Timberwolves are making the hardest push to trade for All-Star guard Gary Payton. If they get Payton the 1st RND jinx will finally end.
Wow, that would instantly put them in the hunt. I don't see who they have to offer though. It's not Wally because Seattle already has SG/SF plus they signed him to an big extension. I don't see it happening. Minnesota doesn't have enough to pry him away, especially since they don't have first rounders for a couple more years (Joe Smith has been a complete waste).
Yupp Joe Smith and Michael Olowakandi are the biggest wastes of a #1 pick. Also, speaking of Draft Picks..did you all know the number 9 pick was originally Orlando's but they traded it away. That pick could've been used to get Amare Stoudemire! Imagine Amare and T-Mac...man...not to mention if they had never traded Ben Wallace for Injugry Proned...Grant Hill!!!!
Ya especially what if the Lakers had Phil Jackson way back when they had Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell, and Dennis Rodman..would we even be mention how the Lakers have no talent besides Shaq and Kobe?
Infact i wouldn't be surprised to see this happen.As gary payton stated that he will only go to a team that he likes or has a chance with and i'm sure he will go to wolves. As who wouldn't want to play with KG? i believe that sonics want to get rid of him so badly as they jus taren't getting along....so a trade of payton for brandon and wally wouldn't surprise me one bit.
Not to mention Ricky Davis who signed in the off-season with the T-Wolves, but whose contract was matched by the Cavs. Imagine a trio of Kevin Garnett, Ricky Davis, and Gary Payton. And it'll be even better if they happen to keep Wally Sczerbiak. All they would need is a decent center to help out KG on the boards and maybe perhaps Mark Jackson come out of his slum when he gets a mouth full from GP and the gang.
I'm almost sure Wally wouldn't be in the deal. At SG/SF (Wally's postions), Seattle already has Desmond Mason, Brent Barry, Rashard Lewis, Vladamir Radmonavic, and Joseph Forte. There's too much young talent (except for Barry) there to take Wally too. Salaries will be tought to match, but they could pull it off.
I think Brandon & Joe Smith will be shipped to Seattle for GP. Once Brandon retires the Sonics get major cap space. Joe Smith gives them a true PF. Sonics plan on a youth movement and moving GP is a big 1st step in pushing the team toward that direction.
What ever happened to Jerome James? He did pretty good against the Spurs last playoffs. He held his own against Tim Duncan, this year he is more like Greg Ostertag.
Joe Smith and Terrell Brandon for Payton doesn't work salary-wise. If it happens, I'll guess Brandon and Hudson for Payton.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "OnlineX":</div><div class="quote_post">Who would payton play for the lakers? Who's spot he take over?</div> Definately Fisher. He's the weak link on the Lakers offensively and defensively. Payton & Kobe in the backcourt would be the best duo on offense and defense. I hope this deal goes through, but I doubt Seattle is going to trade Payton to a division rival, let alone the Lakers.
