|
|
|
Thursday, February 22, 2001
Walker says Sonics didn't come close to dealing Payton
Associated Press
|
SEATTLE – The SuperSonics decided the best deal right now
was no deal.
| |  | |
| Payton |
The NBA trading deadline passed Thursday, with Gary Payton and
all his teammates staying put in Seattle.
Sonics general manager Wally Walker decided to stick with his
roster, keeping Payton until at least next summer.
Walker said the Sonics didn't come close to trading Payton, the
franchise's all-time leading scorer and a seven-time All-Star point
guard.
"I didn't have a discussion where Gary's name came up the last
couple of days," Walker said.
The decision to keep Payton, 32, made perfect sense to teammate
Brent Barry.
"It would be hard to see Seattle ever parting with Gary
Payton," Barry said. "He proved that last night again that he's
still the most valuable player this franchise has ever had."
Fighting to get into the playoffs in the West, the Sonics got 30
points and 12 assists from Payton in a 127-98 victory over the
Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Walker listened to offers from other NBA teams, but he wasn't in
the mood for a fire sale.
"I don't think we ever got very close," he said. "We had some
fair offers, but I wouldn't call them of a major nature. At the end
of the day, I thought we'd be better off for a playoff run with
this group."
Coach Nate McMillan agreed.
"We're not talking about getting into the lottery as of now,"
McMillan said. "Even conversations about making moves were still
conversations about making the playoffs.
"The bottom line is we still want to make the playoffs. I think
not making a move now could indicate that the right move is not out
there for us," he said.
The names of Payton, Barry, Vin Baker, Ruben Patterson and
Shammond Williams were the most prominently mentioned in
speculation as the Seattle players most likely to be traded.
Payton is averaging 22.6 points, 8.4 assists, 1.48 steals and 40
minutes in his 11th season in Seattle.
"Any time people start counting Gary out, he seems to have a
way, an uncanny knack of coming out and getting some things done,"
Barry said.
Walker said Payton's future with the Sonics could depend on how
the team does this season.
"Anything is possible," Walker said. "We think we're capable
of being a playoff team. If we're not, we have to look at
everything."
The Sonics have been sold by Barry Ackerley to a new group of
owners, a deal that is expected to be approved by the end of March
by the NBA Board of Governors.
Ackerley protected Payton from trade talks, but Walker said none
of his players was untouchable this season.
Patterson and Baker were elated to see the trading deadline pass
without any Sonics being traded.
"I'm just glad it's over with," Patterson said. "I'm glad
nobody is going nowhere. G didn't leave, Vin or whoever on the
team. I'm just glad everybody is here and we can try and fight and
get into the playoffs."
"Nothing shocks me anymore," Baker said. "I've been in this
situation a couple of times. I can't say anything surprises me or
shocks me."
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
|
|
|
|
