Karl Malone plans to wait and see what happens with talks between fellow free agent Gary Payton and the Los Angeles Lakers.

ESPN's David Aldridge confirmed that Malone would be interested in the Lakers if Payton signs with them.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Payton chose not to go Los Angeles this weekend as Lakers coach Phil Jackson and owner Jerry Buss are out of town. Payton has been in contact with Shaquille O'Neal and Magic Johnson in the meantime, the Times reports.

Payton made $12.6 million last season while playing for the Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks.

Aldridge also reports that Malone has narrowed his list down to four teams, two of which are the Lakers and current NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.

The Deseret News in Utah reported that according to KSL-TV on Friday, Boston Celtics executive Danny Ainge met with Malone at his home in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, the first day teams can speak with free agents but cannot sign them until July 16.

But Saturday, the Deseret News reported that Malone's agent, Dwight Manley, confirmed the Celtics were no longer being considered.

The scenario would go like this: Malone signs for the veteran minimum of $1.5 million for next season, which would help the Lakers attract Payton.

If Los Angeles reels in Payton and Malone to join All-Stars O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, the Lakers would be formidable contenders for next season's NBA title.

Malone, 39, has spent his entire 18-year NBA career with the Utah Jazz, who lost in back-to-back NBA Finals to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in 1997 and '98. Malone made $19.25 million last season with the Jazz.