What readers are saying about the Gary Payton trade

Smart move

I applaud the Sonics for trading Gary Payton. It was a wise decision and one that the most objective fans will agree with.

Based on the fact that they were going to lose him for nothing if they didn't trade him, they made the smart move and traded him while he was still a Sonic so we could get something in return. Kudos to the Sonics though we will all miss Gary.

Evan Fein, Seattle

Trade sinks ship

I cannot believe that the Sonics chose to trade their franchise player!

The images from Wednesday night's game against the Knicks are etched in my mind: First, the drive down the left of the key to reverse flip in a lay-in shot with his right hand; later, a dive to attempt a steal. This from a 34-year old star who only missed five games in 12 seasons, averaged over 40 minutes per game, and earned his contract on and off the court.

The Sonics were worth tuning in because of Gary. Now close to the cellar, this trade for three Bucks sinks the ship, and the architects of this move should be held accountable. The trade with New Orleans would have sufficed.

Best wishes, Gary. I wish I had gotten one of your talking bobbleheads to see what you "said.''

Brian Doennebrink, Shoreline

Senior citizens love him

Goodbye to Gary Payton, a great asset to the community. He was a tremendous morale booster to the senior citizens of this area, and his enthusiasm will be missed. I enjoyed watching him play for many years.

The Sonics should have known better to build a pro team around a point guard. He tried to do a lot with little help and appreciation. Good luck to a fine person and athlete in Gary Payton. I only hope Ray Allen's knees hold up.

Craig West, Des Moines

This fan says adios

Tell Wally Walker and Howard Schultz "adios.'' I'll never again enter KeyArena or watch the Sonics on television. Walker started the Sonics' demise by firing George Karl. All Karl did was take us to the playoffs year after year. Nothing against McMillan, but he isn't Karl's equal as a coach.

Now Schultz, and certainly with much support from Walker, has given away not only a future Hall of Famer, but also a pretty damn good prospect in Desmond Mason.

K. James Eaton, Oak Harbor

Fans should boycott

Born and raised in Seattle, I have been a Sonics fan for over 35 years. I am disappointed again to learn of the trade of yet another super star in Gary Payton. Ever since Wally Walker has taken over, the Sonics have been the rug mat for most of the NBA. It is time for remaining fans to make a statement and boycott Sonics games for the rest of the season.

Yaakov Genauer, Los Angeles

His smile contagious

Thank you, Gary Payton, for the highlights, the low lights, the vigor, the leadership and that, sir, was only what you gave this city on the basketball court. You were a great leader on that court but you also were a quiet hero in the lives of many children and under privileged. You will be remembered with wonderful anecdotes and colorful stories.

What I will miss most is your contagious smile. Thank you for everything you gave of yourself and to our community.

Diana Ellis, Port Orchard

Excited by the change

I was dismayed by the string of grousing fans and negative articles in the Sports section (Seattle Times, Feb. 21) regarding the Sonics' trades. I, too, have been a longstanding Payton fan who anticipated great things around his stellar play. There were great moments, but those times are gone and all our complaints won't bring back the player who led us to 11th place in the West this season.

I have enjoyed Milwaukee's team ever since Coach Karl took up his tenure with the Bucks. I admire Ray Allen's game and I am excited about the reconstruction of the Sonics around Allen, Rashard Lewis, and the cast of young players that will surely come in this year's draft.

We should also warmly welcome Elden Campbell, a solid performer who used to shut down Shawn Kemp back in the day, and will deliver a stronger post presence than we have seen in the past five seasons while we grow a new frontline from the draft.

I am increasing my budget for Sonics games. I want to be there to watch this happen under Nate McMillan's brilliant leadership. I am so excited.

Bradley Littlejohn, Bellingham

Lame trade

Seattle-Milwaukee-Milwaukee-Seattle. It continues. I am very saddened to see Gary leave but will be interested to watch the Bucks the rest of the way. To me this looks like a lame trade for Seattle. Although Allen is seven years younger than Gary he doesn't have half the heart.

Bob Hundhausen, Madison, WI

Time to trade Wally

As a life long Sonics fan, I am amazed at what Wally Walker has done with this team.

First he signs Jim McIllvaine and alienates Shawn Kemp. Then he trades Kemp for Vin Baker. Then after a 60-plus win season he fires George Karl and hires Paul Westphal. Westphal leads the same basic core group that Karl had to a mediocre season. Now he trades Gary Payton and Desmond Mason for Ray Allen and a couple of fillers, and let's not forget after that trade, he trades the last true point guard on the roster for another do little center.

The next trade the Sonics should make is to trade Wally for someone who won't let his ego get in the way of making sound basketball decisions.

Phil Mortenson, Bakersfield, Calif.

One of worst blows ever

I am a very concerned fan who has been devoted to the Sonics throughout the 26 years of my life. I am very confused with the way things are being run nowadays.

Payton as been the key to the Sonics for the past decade. He can easily play till he's 40 years old. Don't believe it? Just look at John Stockton.

Gary Payton was dedicated to the Sonics his whole career. All the Sonics did was trade away every good player that was ever around him to build a decent team. Now all we have is a bunch of young players who are maybes with a lot of potential excluding guys like Brent Barry.

On a good note, Ray Allen will be a hard player for the Sonics and will do well but it was not worth the price to give up Gary Payton. I believe it does not take much for a Seattle fan to be happy but this is a big mistake.

This is one of the worst blows to Seattle sports ever. He should have been able to have the opportunity to play his entire career with the Sonics and retired his number as well. I don't know what they are thinking up there in the front office. The only reason fan attendance is down and the Sonics are a losing franchise now is because they keep changing coaches and players as well.

Please don't let Seattle down anymore. Sooner or later we will just have to turn our backs and find better things to spend our money on. I know I used to buy the season ticket packages a few years ago on a regular basis. Now I don't since it seems that every time I look at the roster I don't know half of the players.

The Sonics have lost a lot a respect from all of the fans around the region. This will hurt more than you even can understand. If I was Nate I would quit and go work under George.

Brent Bagley, Auburn

Integrity questioned

I am still shocked and stunned by the Sonics trading away their heart and soul. Organizations have to take bold bets to be successful in the future but those bets have to be smart, they have to be well executed and the organization needs to be true to its integrity.

The Sonics acted in none of these ways. They are not making a smart bet, they did not treat Gary Payton with respect, they did not treat the fans with respect and they are not reflecting within and being self critical to really and truly ask if this is the right move.

What about all of the mediocre players we've accumulated over the years? What about the fact that Wally Walker couldn't assemble a winning team and continues to spend money on bad bets? What about the fact that we are constantly in the search for a big man that never pans out? What about the downward spiral in our record since George Karl was fired?

Who is accountable for all of those missteps? Why is it that we aren't questioning our front office more? Our coach more? Why is it that the focus of this disappointing season has revolved around the one bright spot the team had? Why is it instead they took the one player who consistently gave 110 percent, who consistently raised the bar, who acted with maturity within the community, who was loyal and traded him away without the courtesy of at least telling him themselves?

Howard Schultz speaks of leadership and the need for a true leader on the team — that leader was Gary Payton by leaps and bounds. Mr. Schultz himself should step up and understand the characteristics of a good leader and realize in how many ways he violated those characteristics with his actions yesterday.

The Sonics are a disappointment and I as a fan no longer want any part of them if this is what they think it means to take a big bet and to act with integrity.

Stephanie Cross, Seattle

Remembering Behring

Howard Schultz is to the Sonics as was Ken Behring to the Seahawks.

Chris Brown, Elma

A class act

I just wanted to say thanks to Gary Payton for being a class act throughout his entire career here in Seattle. I remember the day he was drafted and I still recall that was the only day in Seattle sports history when I felt like one of our teams had drafted a future super star.

For all of his infrequent whining and sporadic egotism, Gary was still an excellent member of our community. His foundations helped thousands of kids and he never seemed like he was doing anything for the money.

Hopefully The Glove can find himself on a contending team, because it certainly won't be in Milwaukee.

Adam Lawrence, Olympia

Many people to thank

I'd like to thank some of the people who made this "blockbuster'' trade possible.

Thanks to Wally Walker for wasting cap room on oafish big men who can't run or shoot. Thanks for constructing a roster with no post presence. You deserve all the credit, Wally, as the architect of a situation that left us with no choice but to throw in the towel with 30 games still to play. Good thing you own part of the team, because if your job security were linked to performance you would be out on the street.

Thanks to Howard Schultz for his Jason Kidd flirtations. The grass is always greener on the other side, Howard, as you're sure to realize during the next five years. It's going to be such fun watching your precious investment wallow in the bowels of the Western Conference. I mean, if you thought it was hard drawing fans to WNBA games, just wait and see how the city responds after watching its two most marketable players pack bags for Milwaukee. Hopefully the Clippers will implode this offseason, because otherwise there's nothing to keep the Supes out of last place in the Pacific.

Thanks to Rick Sund. Whatever it is you do for the Sonics, keep up the good work. Was it you that identified Ronald Murray as a trade target? Standup job, Rick! No one else had ever heard of him, not unless they went to Shaw University, but you: you do your homework, Rick.

Kudos for Kevin Ollie, too. I have fond memories of Kevin leading U-Conn to the Sweet Sixteen in 1994, although I'm not sure what he's done since then other than embody the NBA journeyman. Can't wait to see what these guys can do in green and gold!

Thanks to George Karl for hypnotizing Sonics' management with the promise of cap room. Whoever laughs last laughs best, and George is in stitches right now.

Thanks to Gary Payton, for playing hard and for playing to win, and for wanting to finish his career in Seattle. You're the best player in team history, Gary, and I hope that by the time you retire you'll be able to look beyond the front-office-monkeys to see your No. 20 hoisted into the KeyArena rafters.

Thanks to Desmond Mason. You were the only player on the roster other than Payton who offered the kind of exciting play that could justify rising ticket prices.

And most of all thanks to Sonics fans, who have been true to their team throughout this ill-conceived charade. Just remember, fans: the Sonics gave up on their season today, and so should you.

Jeremy Engdahl-Johnson, Mercer Island

What did Karl know?

Think about it: Of everyone involved in this trade, who knew all the players involved more intimately than George Karl? What was Milwaukee missing? Defense? Why was he willing to unload a player as good as Ray Allen? Well, Ray Allen has one big weakness, that just happens to be a Gary Payton strength: defense. Then again, what part of the game isn't a Gary Payton strength?

Howard Schultz rationalizations come up empty and hollow. He said Gary Payton lacked leadership in the locker room. Yet, how many times have we read about Payton calling player-only meetings? What about the practice a month or so ago, when Nate McMillen and Jerome James got into an incident, and it was Payton who separated them and took the players off into a side room to lay down the law on listening to the coach?

A team's personality starts with the personality of the owner, and after a quarter century of being a Sonics' fan, I am now a basketball fan without a team. I simply cannot be a fan of Howard Schultz as he stamps his bland uncreative personality on this franchise.

Gary Payton has been my favorite professional athlete on Planet Earth for over a decade. He sacrificed the prime years of his career to a city he felt loyalty to. Any other star of his caliber would have done what Alex Rodriguez did. Payton planted roots in this city and became a figure of what is both good and — admittedly — volatile about Seattle.

Howard Schultz shows he is rookie. He shows a lack of intuition, creativity, understanding and integrity. Howard Schultz should be traded out of town. We don't want him, and as long as he is owner of this team, we don't want the team.

It is interesting to note that Nate McMillen is described at the press conference, announcing the trade, as "teary eyed" and wearing a scowl.

Howard Schultz has mistreated Gary Payton. At least Gary can get out of town, though. Nate is left hold the bag of damaged goods. Yeah, thanks a lot, Howard.

Peter Wick, Seattle

All good things end

It is sad to see a great person like Gary Payton move on, but all good things have to end some time. Let's remember the good times Gary gave us and there where many. I loved watching him grow and I loved watching him play through all the years he gave us. And now I just want to wish him the best of luck, so good luck, Gary, and tell George we all say "Hi.''

Jim Fatton, Burien

He's no Glove

Let me give you some information about Gary Payton: First in Sonics history in points, assists, steals, games played (999), minutes played, three-point fields goals (more than Dale Ellis), and third in rebounds.

Did Schultz have too much caffeine before this trade? And why Mason? What are you thinking? A high riser with tremendous potential, and you trade him for Kevin Ollie and Ronald Curry?

Now, I love Ray Allen. But he is no Glove.

Patrick Frost, Mercer Island

Facts must be faced

Even before the trade, as another Sonics' season spiraled downward with no apparent bottom in sight, I begun to think to myself, "Gary Payton is and has been a great player for Seattle, but he's in the twilight of his career. They've got to trade him while they can still get something of value in the deal.''

It's a shame they had to do it; it's also a shame they had to give up a talented young player such as Desmond Mason as well. But facts must be faced here: The team was going nowhere and needed some new blood. I only wish them luck in finding, before next season, what has been most sorely lacking: An inside post-up game.

If the team starts winning next season or even the season after that, the fans will forgive, if not forget. Just look what happened after the Mariners lost Griffey and A-Rod.

David Burke, Whistler, B.C.

Won't ever be back

Due to the imminent departure of Gary Payton via trade, I vow to never attend another Sonics game. Over the course of the last several years, previous and current ownership has decimated our team, eliminating fan loyalty through poor decision making. Furthermore, I encourage every fan I know, to stop attending Sonic games and to discontinue any support of the Sonics whatsoever

I advise the current ownership to focus on running their coffee business. Coffee is apparently the only thing they understand, and take Wally Walker, too. Hope you enjoyed the sellout game with the Bucks. It will be a very long time before you sell out another one.

Hugh Gerrard, Bothell

I'm rooting for Bucks

From now on when the Sonics play the Bucks I'm rooting for the Bucks. For all I care, "Shifty" Schultz can move the Sonics to somewhere on the East Coast or France. Goodbye and good luck Gary. Most of us in Seattle with miss you and your terrific long term performance as the best Sonic ever.

Jack Richey, Redmond

Trade had to be made

Sonics fans don't realize that this trade had to be made. The rebuilding process of the Sonics should have begun years ago and yesterday Sonic management finally saw a Ray (Allen) of light. Poor personnel decisions of the past were a few of the roots of this trade.

We should have a young, athletic, exciting team lead by Payton ready to challenge for the playoffs. Instead, the horrible decisions of the past have come back to haunt the Sonics in the present.

Matt Riippa, Seattle

Team of no names

Now that Gary Payton is gone, I can not name a single Sonics player.

Jim Duncan, Renton

Thanks for release

Thank you, Wally and Howard.

With all the respect to Nate, you guys have finally released me from the agony of watching the Sonics. Gary was the only link that kept many of us still interested. Gary never had bad press, never was in trouble off the court, and came to play every game, all-star, great community contributor. What more did you want? This latest personnel fiasco will be the last that I care about. See ya.

Tim Tallar, Normandy Park

Payton torture ended

If he was to be traded this way, why did the Sonics pretend as if they would let Gary finish his splendid career here? Why did they have to waste his supreme talent and perpetual hard work by surrounding him with an unmatched group of odd basketball players?

When the Sonics fired George Karl, they said they were going to rebuild the team. The team they tried to rebuild just won 60 games. Then they started to torture Payton by giving him mismatched useless supporting players. Many of those useless players were well paid by the Sonics. Of course, the Sonics are still rebuilding.

Payton, however, continued to play hard and perform well until his last game with the Sonics.

I am sad to see him leave Seattle. I am also happy to realize that he may get another chance to win a championship with another team, like Randy Johnson did when he moved on.

Shinji Unno, Woodinville

A very big gamble

Trading Gary Payton? Even though I had heard the rumors over the last several weeks, I just didn't think anyone would be this stupid. Howard Schultz? Wally Walker? I just don't get it. Its my understanding through Gary's agents, Aaron and Eric Goodwin, that Gary would not have re-signed with the Sonics at the end of the season.

Obviously all of this because Mr. Schultz was not willing to give Gary the extension he wanted prior to the beginning of the season. Why? After everything Gary has done for the Sonics? For the community? For the many organizations in and around the City of Seattle.

When Howard Schultz bought this team, I thought it was not only for the investment purpose, but the fact that he loved the sport and the team. This city loves Gary Payton, he plays his heart out, day in and day out, even though he was never given the supporting players needed to win a championship, he still played hard every night and gave us his all. He amused us with his trash talking and always new when to hit the big shot to make the place erupt.

Gary Payton has been the reason the KeyArena has had as many seats filled as they have. You are taking a big chance Mr. Schultz by trading a fan favorite. I told my husband awhile back, if Gary Payton was traded, I would not be renewing the season tickets I have had since back in the Coliseum era, and now, that is a fact. I know I'm not the only fan who is thinking the same thing. You my friend are really rolling the dice on this one, and it may very well backfire in your face. If you think the seats are empty now, I don't think you have seen anything yet.

Dawn Stempak, Seattle

Clean up front office

Prior to the trade I felt that the Sonics needed to fire their front office. Now the trades have taken place, it is more evident that they need to clean up their front office. It is not fair to Coach Nate McMillan that he has only six or seven players to work with. How do you explain trading Payton and future star Mason? The front office have no idea where their going and the attendance are going to drop considerably. And by the way, thanks to Payton for being such a good player and his contributions to the community.

Robert McCullough, Aberdeen

Missing Gary already

I've been a dedicated Sonics fan since the early 1970s. Gary Payton has been my favorite player since he joined the team 13 years ago. His cocky attitude, his grace on he court and mostly his obvious love of the game is what kept the fans coming back. He was a huge influence to the new younger players who joined the team which came through in their eagerness to play hard, no matter what the outcome.

I find it interesting that Howard Schultz thinks he's done the right thing for the franchise, being able to secure a player like Ray Allen. I don't wish to take anything away from Ray Allen, but didn't Mr. Schultz also feel that strongly about Vin Baker?

It's truly a sad day for the Sonics, but a very happy day for George Karl — another class act who got the shaft from the Sonics organization.

Too bad we can't send Gary off with a huge party to thank him for all the years of dedication. Thanks Gary! We will miss you.

Sharon Waatti, Mountlake Terrace