Lakers may get Payton and K Malone

[thescout10]

Lakers might be All-Star fortified with Malone, Payton

July 5, 2003

By Mike Kahn

SportsLine.com Executive Editor

Tell Mike your opinion!

Anyone wondering what will produce the most intrigue for next season, it may ultimately be the All-Star dominated, revamped version of the Los Angeles Lakers.

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With Utah Jazz forward Karl Malone reportedly telling the Lakers he will take whatever money they have left if it means they also can acquire Milwaukee free-agent point guard Gary Payton, it now appears the Lakers very well may add two aging but still very productive stars to a team dominated by Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant the past seven seasons.

"Gary has to decide what he's going to do," Payton's agent Aaron Goodwin told SportsLine.com. "He's very interested in listening to what's out there. Then it's his choice (whether it's about money or winning)."

Payton will be 35 at the end of the month, but has averaged at least 20 points and eight assists in each of the past five seasons -- Oscar Robertson is the only other player in history to have accomplished that at least five successive seasons. Payton spent 12½ seasons with the Sonics before being traded to Milwaukee in February for Ray Allen.

Malone, about to turn 40 this month as well, is just 2,013 points away from catching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the most prolific scorer in history. Presumably, it would create a starting lineup of Payton and Bryant in the backcourt, with O'Neal, Malone and Devean George up front.

It would be a devastating defensive team, as well as a team that could score in huge numbers.

The Lakers, who won three titles in a row before getting knocked by eventual champion San Antonio in this year, made virtually no moves last offseason. Coach Phil Jackson, entering the final season of his five-year, $30 million contract, is pondering a two-year extension after this season if he gets a clean bill of health following the heart bypass surgery he had in the spring.

Far exceeding the salary cap due to the huge salaries of O'Neal and Bryant, the Lakers have two exceptions -- which are believed to be approximately $4.9 million and $1.5 million -- when the moratorium for contracts is lifted July 16. Their defense struggled dramatically last season as age became an issue for key role players Robert Horry, Rick Fox and Brian Shaw.

Malone, who made $19.2 million in his 18th season with the Jazz, wants to play three more years, play on a championship team for the first time, and break Abdul-Jabbar's record. With John Stockton having retired in May after 19 seasons together with the Jazz, Malone was primed to bolt with Utah's two NBA Finals losses to Chicago (1997 and 1998) still resonating.

One of the all-time ironmen of sport, Malone has missed only 10 games to injury (five more to suspensions) in his career, while O'Neal missed 15 games last season alone. Always outspoken, it could be interesting to see how the two get along considering O'Neal postponed foot surgery last summer until September, missed the first 12 games and played his way into game condition as his weight continued to climb into the 350-pound plus range for the third season in a row.

Although Malone's scoring and rebounding numbers have steadily dropped the past three seasons, he still averaged 20.6 points and 7.8 rebounds in 2002-2003. His passing and defensive hands remain superior -- he averaged a career-best 4.7 assists and 1.58 steals last season.

Gary Payton might decide his L.A. ties and the chance to win is worth taking less money. (Getty Images)

Payton's bad reputation was skewed somewhat this past season. Entering the 2001-2002 season, he promised Sonics coach Nate McMillan he would be a better mentor and more patient with Seattle's young players. He had what many believe to be his best season, and anticipated signing a long-term contract to finish his career with the Sonics. Instead, owner Howard Schultz kept Payton from finishing his career with the Sonics and raised questions of his leadership qualities.

It destroyed team chemistry and GM Rick Sund bailed out Schultz's mismanagement with the Milwaukee trade. Nonetheless, Payton is considered by many to be the best defensive point guard of all-time, and was named first-team All-Defense nine years in a row -- an NBA record he shares with Michael Jordan. The streak ended this past season.

Many believed he would stay in Milwaukee for the money, or force a sign-and-trade to Portland. His wife and three children still live in suburban Seattle and he remains very popular in Portland because he was an All-American at Oregon State. But the lure of playing in Los Angeles, where he also has a recording studio for his production company, may be too great.

The Sonics lost to the Bulls in the 1996 Finals, his only trip there, and if Malone is willing to take just $1.5 million, Payton should be willing to take the loss from $12.6 million to $4.9 million. He has homes in Seattle, Las Vegas and his native Oakland, and has done well with his money.

He and Malone were on the 1996 gold-medal U.S. Olympic team together and were on the West All-Star team eight years in a row until Malone failed to be named this past February.

"Things are just starting," Goodwin said. "It's just getting interesting."

While I hate the lakers you have to admit they do what it takes to field a championship club.When are the Hawks ever going to get that attitude.Until the sell is completed which seemily is taking forever no one cares about the Hawks which makes it tough being a fan.Even when Mcdavid takes over what can the hawks do in player personel.It would not surprise me to see Terry sign somewhere else and the hawks lose him.Even with Terry are the Hawks improved? Considering that rookies do not make an impact how much can Diaw really improve the Hawks? Same old story with this team.No clue how to build a team,no fan support because people do not want boring losing teams.Major improvement won't come till 2005 when a number of players will be off the books but can the hawks sign anyone since players who are superstars want championships not rebuilding after rebuilding years.

A scouting staff that can scout internaitional players,a quality coach and GM which I think Knight might be are the main things needed for this team.Right the Hawks hands are tied and with GROB seemily hurting the team lack of chemistry it will be a long 2 years.Seems that many athletes like the atlanta area but are scared off when the name the hawks comes up.Somehow this has got to change.Also the new ownership needs Dominque Wilkins as a big part to bring fans back.

He is the one player that people associate the good hawks teams of the 80's and early 90's.I would not mind seeing Alex English getting a chance also.Doc Rivers got an opportunity and look what he has done.One of the better coaches in the league.

[Guest]

Remember the remarks he made about Byron Scott

being a co-tail rider?:lol

[mrhonline]

Yes, they'll dominate for a couple of years, but what happens when Kobe leaves because he's not getting enough shots or Shaq's toe explodes?

How exactly are those four guys going to get enough shots? And how does Malone break the scoring record then?

I like Kidd/Zo or Kidd/Pj Brown to San Antonio better chemistry wise...

[chickenstanly]

This lineup would likely implode much like the Hawks

w/Theus, etc a few years ago. Looks great on paper,

but it's highly doubtful it would work. The Lakers

could not find shots for Rice in his prime. Where

are the shots for two ego-maniacs like Malone and

Payton going to come from ?

Phil Jackson seems to have the ability to win

with two superstars bearing the offensive load

surrounded by role players. Remember how

Mitch Richmond[admittedly not in his prime --

but neither is Malone] was cast to the bench ?

[capstone21]

I got to agree with you. PJ Brown, a good role playing PF might be a better fit for the Lakers then Malone.

Malone also wants to set the scoring record and he won't do it on a team with Shaq, Kobe and Payton.

They need someone who can come in play good d, rebound and score when needed and accept this as your role. Malone has always been the focal point of his teams offence. I don't think averaging 10-12 points a game will sit well with him.