Payton leaning towards return to Boston

http://celtics.bostonherald.com/celtics/view.bg?articleid=70707

``We've reached an agreement with the Hawks, and things should be in place
no later than early (today),'' said Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin. ``It's
just going to be a matter of getting the paperwork approved by the league.''

``Quite honestly, Gary's out with his family and his mom, and I haven't
talked to him much,'' Goodwin said. ``I think he's leaning toward coming
back to the Celtics. I think he likes what's going on in Boston. I still
have to talk to him about things, but I think that's where he wants to end
up. But you never know with Gary.''

As for Payton having suitors, Doc Rivers said: ``I think that's great.
I'm happy for Gary. Last summer nobody wanted him, but he came in here and
did everything we asked him to do and played really well. He's a much better
person than people give him credit for, so I'm happy for him. And I'd still
like to see him back with us if things work out.''

Numbers game

Antoine Walker [news] isn't able to get back his No. 8, but Chris
Webber is allowed to move Andre Igoudala off No. 4 in Philadelphia? What
gives?

``They told us we couldn't do it, and now that's kind of changing a
bit,'' Rivers said. ``Antoine might end up back with his number, but I don't
care if he wears 1,010 as long as he plays good basketball.''

Said Walker: ``I saw that on TV. I'll wait until I get back to Boston
before I do something. We'll see.''

According to 76ers general manager Billy King, the club petitioned the
league and allowed Igoudala to make the midseason change.

According to another source, one might best follow the money. New No.
88 jerseys could be hot items.

If Payton returns, Ainge will have ended up trading Antoine Walker and Tony
Delk for Antoine Walker, Gary Payton, Raef LaFrentz, Tony Allen, Delonte
West and a 2007 1st rounder.


--

Somewhere in Texas, a village is missing its idiot.
"s_knight8" <s_knight8nospam RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:cvvdhv$a0j@dispatch.concentric.net...
> http://celtics.bostonherald.com/celtics/view.bg?articleid=70707
>
> ``We've reached an agreement with the Hawks, and things should be in place
> no later than early (today),'' said Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin. ``It's
> just going to be a matter of getting the paperwork approved by the
league.''
>
> ``Quite honestly, Gary's out with his family and his mom, and I
haven't
> talked to him much,'' Goodwin said. ``I think he's leaning toward coming
> back to the Celtics. I think he likes what's going on in Boston. I still
> have to talk to him about things, but I think that's where he wants to end
> up. But you never know with Gary.''
>
> As for Payton having suitors, Doc Rivers said: ``I think that's
great.
> I'm happy for Gary. Last summer nobody wanted him, but he came in here and
> did everything we asked him to do and played really well. He's a much
better
> person than people give him credit for, so I'm happy for him. And I'd
still
> like to see him back with us if things work out.''
>
> Numbers game
>
> Antoine Walker [news] isn't able to get back his No. 8, but Chris
> Webber is allowed to move Andre Igoudala off No. 4 in Philadelphia? What
> gives?
>
> ``They told us we couldn't do it, and now that's kind of changing a
> bit,'' Rivers said. ``Antoine might end up back with his number, but I
don't
> care if he wears 1,010 as long as he plays good basketball.''
>
> Said Walker: ``I saw that on TV. I'll wait until I get back to Boston
> before I do something. We'll see.''
>
> According to 76ers general manager Billy King, the club petitioned
the
> league and allowed Igoudala to make the midseason change.
>
> According to another source, one might best follow the money. New No.
> 88 jerseys could be hot items.
>
>
>