Gary Payton does not opt out

[fordronken]

According to ESPN News, Gary Payton did not exercise his opt-out clause and will remain under contract for next season.

Surprise, surprise. The man who took a pay cut for a "championship" is clinging to about four or five million dollars to stay on a team he has no idea what will look like.

 

[Yuma]

The Lakers just got STUCK with Payton. He was very innefectual for them this year. I bet the Lakers were HOPING he would have opted out. For a little MORE money they could get Nash, who would be a better fit for them. I think this HURTS the Lakers! :clap:

 

[Evil Ash]

According to ESPN News, Gary Payton did not exercise his opt-out clause and will remain under contract for next season.

Surprise, surprise. The man who took a pay cut for a "championship" is clinging to about four or five million dollars to stay on a team he has no idea what will look like.

If I remember correctly, his option year was for $5.5 million

 

[slinslin]

Payton knows he isn't going to get more than 5.5M$ from another team. And Phil Jackson and the triangle should be gone by next year which should help Payton.

 

[Yuma]

Hopefully for the Lakers they will switch to another offense. I don't know if we can pin all the woes of Payton on the offensive scheme. He just doesn't look like the Glove anymore on defense. Quick guards are giving him fits right now. That's good for us when we play LA next year. Let Barbosa run! If Shaq isn't there, it's layup city!

 

[Joe Mama]

Payton knows he isn't going to get more than 5.5M$ from another team. And Phil Jackson and the triangle should be gone by next year which should help Payton.

Well, he might not feel to get $5.5 million next year, but he could surely get a multiyear contract that compensated him well over $5.5 million. I think he is probably hoping that he will play much better next season outside of the triangle offense then get a contract for a few years next summer that is better.

Joe Mama

 

[Yuma]

Well, he might not feel to get $5.5 million next year, but he could surely get a multiyear contract that compensated him well over $5.5 million. I think he is probably hoping that he will play much better next season outside of the triangle offense then get a contract for a few years next summer that is better.

Joe Mama

At Payton's age, I don't think he's looking beyond next season. Kobe will still be there, and maybe they can talk Shaq into staying. That is still good odds for Gary to get a ring. If Kobe and Shaq leave, and Gary is there by himself, then he can free agent himself to another team like a Dallas, or whoever needs a point guard that has a shot at winning a ring. I think it just makes sense for him to take the 5.5 and see what happens!