Gary Payton kicks off the festivities at 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend
Credit- Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Gary Payton is widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in NBA history. As the first point guard in NBA history to win the DPOY award, Payton truly redefined the position while cementing his reputation as one of the game’s greats.
Although Payton eventually won an NBA title with the Miami Heat in 2006, the guard cut his teeth and made a name for himself during his tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics. As a franchise legend, watching the SuperSonics relocate to Oklahoma City was undoubtedly difficult. However, news of the NBA’s expansion hints at some promising news for the city of Seattle.
During a recent interview with Scoop B. Robinson, Gary Payton was asked about the NBA’s expansion plans and the potential return of the Seattle SuperSonics. While noting former MLB player Ken Griffey Jr.’s interest in owning an NBA team, Payton responded:
“Yeah. Me and Ken are real tight. That’s like my brother, too. Remember, we were in the same era in the ’90s together, playing when he was with the Mariners, and I was with the Sonics. We’ll talk about all that.”
“We got a good group that’s coming along,” he added. “First, we’re going to just try to do what we have to do and get it there first. And once it gets there, then we’ll talk about who’s going to be a part of it and who’s not going to be a part of it. But our group is going to be great. And we’re just trying to get them back.”
The enthusiasm surrounding the SuperSonics’ return is certainly infectious. While Gary Payton is still tempering expectations, the former DPOY was asked about who he’d want to recruit to the team. When noting the obvious selections, he shared:
“Oh, he’ll be there. He’ll be there. No problem. I know that he and Durant, we know we’re going to try to get them back. Hopefully, they’ll be free agents at the time, and then we can bring them back. Durant only got to play there for a year. My son was born and raised there. So that’ll be good for him. They’ll still be in their prime in a year or two, so we’re just going to try to get it going.”
Kevin Durant is one of the last remaining players in the league drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics. Given what he meant to the OKC Thunder, bringing Durant over to Seattle seems like a no-brainer.
Meanwhile, for Gary Payton, having his son represent his hometown also seems reasonable. Since Gary Payton II himself has shown an inclination to request a trade to the SuperSonics if the team returns, the two players seem like ideal targets, especially if the expansion is announced soon.
Although the notion of NBA basketball returning to Seattle is promising, the bidding war is expected to be competitive. Given the current price tag for teams, it is safe to admit that the bid for a new franchise would be worth anywhere between $7 billion and $10 billion.
Thus, even though Gary Payton and his group have every inclination to bring the SuperSonics back, the process will demand some patience.
Gary Payton Opens Up On LeBron James’ Role With The 76ers
Aside from the NBA’s expansion, Gary Payton also addressed one of the most noteworthy moves of this offseason, namely, LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
For the most part, the signing has received mixed reviews, with some praising the addition while others criticize it because of how it will affect internal dynamics. Regardless, when a player of James’ caliber joins a star-studded roster, major changes are expected.
Given James’ versatility, the 76ers have a certain degree of flexibility in structuring their offense. Thus, when speaking about James’ fit and role in the 76ers’ system, Gary Payton commented:
“It’s a big adjustment, but I think that’s the coaches’ job to do that. I don’t think they’re going to be playing together a lot. I think it’s going to be two of them playing with each other, and the other two playing with each other. B ut I think LeBron is in his career and at his age right now that he can adjust.”
“I think they’re still going to put the ball in his hands and go downhill,” Payton continued. “They’re going to go through Embiid if he’s healthy. Maxey is starting to be that star. You got Jaylen Brown, but I think what LeBron brings is that he brings the older statesman. They’re going to respect him enough to give him the ball, put him in a lot of stuff, and they’re going to watch it. And I think that’s going to be good.”
Gary Payton’s prediction of the 76ers’ potential offensive game plan seems to align with Nick Nurse’s intentions of having LeBron James run the offense. While maximizing his gifts as a playmaker, Nurse also intends to bring out the best in his remaining stars, capitalizing on the resources at his disposal without letting them clash or overlap.
In theory, Gary Payton’s approach seems sound. When noting how Philadelphia’s stars have spoken about making the necessary sacrifices for the team, the 76ers have the potential to be one of the most formidable teams in the NBA.
With title aspirations for the upcoming season, the Philadelphia 76ers will need each superstar to step up. Still, given the demands of the regular season and the importance of staying healthy, the approach could shift dramatically based on the different obstacles the franchise faces.