The Warriors veteran argued he might "request a trade immediately" if Seattle obtains an NBA franchise.
No player is more excited about Seattle's looming comeback to the NBA than Gary Payton II.
Gary Payton
Gary Payton
Position: PG
Age: 57
Height: 193 cm
Weight: 82 kg
Birth place: Oakland, United States of America
Should the NBA bring back the SuperSonics, the Golden State Warriors veteran expressed his desire to return home and play in front of Seattle fans before his career ends.
"I would probably request a trade immediately," Payton II told Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson. "Even though I love where I’m at, it’s about being able to throw on that Sonics jersey before my career is over.
"I really hope they end up getting that done so I can go hoop for the hometown one time."
It was announced recently that the NBA's board of governors will hold a formal meeting to decide about NBA expansion, identifying Seattle and Las Vegas as potential new destinations for a new team starting in the 2028-29 season.
Payton II was born and raised in Seattle and saw the franchise's rise during the '90s, led by his Hall of Fame father.
In 2008, after disputes regarding the public funding for a potential new arena, the Sonics were relocated to Oklahoma City and underwent a full rebranding as the OKC Thunder.
Payton II is set to become a free agent next offseason. Now 33, he still has significant time left to fulfill his childhood dreams and proudly wear the jersey of his father's iconic team.
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