Payton Coming Back To Boston

I know it was a thread that said "The Glove", but it wasn't really concerning this topic so I just made a new thread to post the article on him coming back. If the Celtics can get GP back, they would most likely be a contender to come out of the East. They will have a deep team with Payton, Pierce, Walker, Lafrentz, Blount, West, Davis, Jefferson, Allen and Banks.

Agent: Payton leaning toward return
By Steve Bulpett/ Celtics Notebook
Monday, February 28, 2005

PHOENIX - Gary Payton should be placed on waivers today by Atlanta and, assuming he clears, the point guard is leaning toward a return to the Celtics.

``We've reached an agreement with the Hawks, and things should be in place no later than early (today),'' said Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin. ``It's just going to be a matter of getting the paperwork approved by the league.''

The unlikelihood that Payton will be claimed off waivers is based on the fact a team would have to be more than $5.4 million under the salary cap or have an exception that size to take on the veteran.



Payton then will be free to sign where he wishes, and Goodwin said yesterday he has had some interesting calls from teams which reportedly include Miami and Phoenix.

``Quite honestly, Gary's out with his family and his mom, and I haven't talked to him much,'' Goodwin said. ``I think he's leaning toward coming back to the Celtics. I think he likes what's going on in Boston. I still have to talk to him about things, but I think that's where he wants to end up. But you never know with Gary.''

Meanwhile, the Celtics don't appear to be counting on anything with Payton just yet. There still is interest in bringing back Kenny Anderson, who was waived by the Hawks to make room for their new players. Anderson said he will sign with either the Clippers or Celts.

Despite the fact rookie Delonte West and sophomore Marcus Banks [news] played well late in the road trip, the C's do not plan to cast their lot entirely with the youngsters.

``What I saw of Delonte and Marcus is what I've been seeing from them in practice,'' director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said before last night's 120-113 overtime win against the Suns. ``It's really hard for young players to play with short minutes. It's hard for them to get into any kind of rhythm.

``But it's a lot different playing in Utah in February than playing in Indiana in a crucial game or playing in Detroit. I guess them doing well gives me a little more comfort if certain things don't work out, but we're still going to try to add someone at that position who can help.''

As for Payton having suitors, Doc Rivers said: ``I think that's great. I'm happy for Gary. Last summer nobody wanted him, but he came in here and did everything we asked him to do and played really well. He's a much better person than people give him credit for, so I'm happy for him. And I'd still like to see him back with us if things work out.''

i would rater love to see him back at Sonics,but bak to Celtics...hmmm...i like that

Guard Gary Payton should be placed on waivers today by Atlanta, according to the Boston Herald. ''We've reached an agreement with the Hawks, and things should be in place no later than early (today),'' said Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin. ''It's just going to be a matter of getting the paperwork approved by the league.'' Assuming he clears waivers, Payton is leaning towards a return to the Celtics.

Link

Danny Ainge is GOD! I don't know if any GM has come through with better trades than he has over the past year.

Wow. Boston's becoming real contenders with Pierce, R.Davis, Walker and Payton

Boston isn't going anywhere special without some solid guys up front...

Please. Antoine Walker is a great rebounder. Al Jefferson is an offensive juggernaught. And Raef Lafrentz has the ability to bring opposing centers out of the key.

Boston isn't going anywhere special without some solid guys up front...

I would say Walker, Blount, Lafrentz and Jefferson are pretty solid. Especially in the East. Lafrentz is a great shot blocker and average 7.3rpg, Jefferson grab 4.6rpg and 1blk off the bench and so far, Walker is averaging 11 boards since becoming a Celtic.

no surprise. it was known he was probably coming back anyway.

gary payton isnt going to spend the last stretch of his career in atlanta

Danny Ainge is GOD! I don't know if any GM has come through with better trades than he has over the past year.

it's nice to see someone else besides me who thinks ainge is better than the rep he has. this guy imo gets a bum deal on these forums and in the press but overall he has built a nice team here with alot of young talent that will only get better with time. dont think i would call him a god as we all know the real basketball GOD is red. always has been and always will be, but still ainge is alot better than some people think. i mean he could be like isiah.........

The Celtics were close to actually playing for the championship before Ainge got there. They just need more parts to the puzzle.

Now two years later, they're back where they started.

Boston isn't going anywhere special without some solid guys up front...

Please. Antoine Walker is a great rebounder. Al Jefferson is an offensive juggernaught. And Raef Lafrentz has the ability to bring opposing centers out of the key.

I think the froncourt struglles will be more defensively. Antione Walker is a bad defender, Raef Lafrentz can block shots but is also a bad defender, and Mark Blount isn't a good defender himself. Their could be some problems their.

so much for the atlantic division being weak now with the celtics and sixers becoming decent teams.

The Celtics were close to actually playing for the championship before Ainge got there. They just need more parts to the puzzle.

Now two years later, they're back where they started.

No they weren't. Danny took over a sinking ship. You're getting your years messed up. This isn't the season that Pierce and 'Toine took the Celts to the Finals -- this is the season after.

But really, look at the Celtics team now --
C - Raef Lafrentz
PF - Antoine Walker
SF - Tony Allen
SG - Paul Pierce
PG - Gary Payton (assuming he comes back)
6th Man - Ricky Davis
Young rookie core - Al Jefferson(franchise player), Allen(already a starter), and Delonte West(PG of future)

...and look at the Celtics squad before Ainge took over --
C - Tony Battie
PF - Walker
SF - Eric Williams
SG - Pierce
PG - Tony Delk/J.R. Bremer
6th Man - Walter McCarty
Young rookie core - Bremer(not in league)

UPGRADE!

so ainge goes from 1 of the worst GM to 1 of the best thanks to 1 signing. Amazing.

amazing is right, i thought celtics wouldnt be anything for a while (which they weren't) but it seems they're on the right track.

I'm surprised he would consider heading back to Boston. I still think he will sign with a contender.

I think the same.
If I were him, I would take the chance and go to a championship team.

SF - Tony Allen
SG - Paul Pierce

I think those 2 are switched

I can't think of any contender that would be able to offer him a starting spot -- Miami should, but wouldn't since Jones fits more into their system. If Payton signed with, say, Phoenix or Sacramento, he'd just be playing backup. Not that anyone would/should lose respect for him if he did, but I don't think he wants to win a championship riding someone's coattails.

I think he learned last year that there's more to a career than winning a championship. The Celtics are a winning team now -- very few teams out East would want to face them in a seven-game series. But most importantly, Payton will be able to start and run the team. The day he won't be able to is probably the day he'll retire -- hopefully a Celtic.

seattle would be a nice situation for him and make them more of a contender ( they already locked for the playoffs, just time to start thinking about winning in the playoffs)

I don't see why Seattle would make a move and get GP because they are dealing with contract issues as it is and obviously they don't want to mess with team chemistry. Plus, they have a good starter in Ridnour and a great backup in Daniels. I just don't think GP going back to Seattle is a good thing for the team.

Danny Ainge is GOD! I don't know if any GM has come through with better trades than he has over the past year.

it's nice to see someone else besides me who thinks ainge is better than the rep he has. this guy imo gets a bum deal on these forums and in the press but overall he has built a nice team here with alot of young talent that will only get better with time. dont think i would call him a god as we all know the real basketball GOD is red. always has been and always will be, but still ainge is alot better than some people think. i mean he could be like isiah.........

I must admit is was a good move by Ainge, getting Walker for Michael Stewart and Gugliotta...

Danny Ainge is GOD!

Boston is gonna come up with some amazing finish this season. Yes, I mean the Championship!

Did he know he was gojnna do this this year. Cause Aigne is got an awesome team now! They look like contenders i nthe east to me!

I know it was a thread that said "The Glove"

Was it so hard to mention my name? Just kidding.