Now both the Globe and the Herald are reporting that Payton is unhappy about this... which kind of undercuts Simmons' claim that Pierce and Payton are gonna be happy as clams. Ooops.
I read in the paper that Payton is angry at the Lakers, not unhappy about playing in Boston. He signed last season for less money, so he's angry the Lakers traded him. Someone needs to remind him that he picked up the player option for this season when the Lakers were obviously in flux. He was unlikely to get $5 million/year contract anyway after his choke job in the playoffs. Payton's feelings aside, I think this is a good trade for the Lakers and the Celtics. The Lakers get what they needed (something, anything other than small forwards and youth), and the Celtics get a potentially great point guard. I still can't believe that Payton's game deteriorated that much - last season was just a bad match of talent and system. Good luck to him.
