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MavKikiNYC · 12-05-2003, 08:37 AM

Malone says he could have delivered Payton

As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Karl Malone continues to be a hated rival for Mavericks fans.

In pregame introductions Thursday night, the only Laker who was booed more lustily than Malone was Kobe Bryant.

The fans' bitterness will only get worse with Malone's latest revelation in the ongoing saga of how he ended up with the Lakers. Malone said before the game that the Mavericks not only had first shot at him, they also could have parlayed that into Gary Payton.

"No doubt," Malone said. "There's no doubt that package would have happened."

Malone and Payton joined the Lakers as free agents in July. Payton signed for the veteran exception ($4.9 million) and Malone signed for the mid-level exception ($1.5 million). Payton said his decision to join the Lakers was tied to Malone's.

Hypotheteical: At this point in the season, which players would you prefer to've seen the Mavericks acquire?

[b] Note: Poll question should read: "Which players would you prefer to've seen the Mavericks acquire?" without restricting it to FA signings.

12-05-2003, 08:37 AM	#1
MavKikiNYC Diamond Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 8,509	Hypothetical: Reevaluating the Mavs FA signings Malone says he could have delivered Payton As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Karl Malone continues to be a hated rival for Mavericks fans. In pregame introductions Thursday night, the only Laker who was booed more lustily than Malone was Kobe Bryant. The fans' bitterness will only get worse with Malone's latest revelation in the ongoing saga of how he ended up with the Lakers. Malone said before the game that the Mavericks not only had first shot at him, they also could have parlayed that into Gary Payton. "No doubt," Malone said. "There's no doubt that package would have happened." Malone and Payton joined the Lakers as free agents in July. Payton signed for the veteran exception ($4.9 million) and Malone signed for the mid-level exception ($1.5 million). Payton said his decision to join the Lakers was tied to Malone's. Hypotheteical: At this point in the season, which players would you prefer to've seen the Mavericks acquire? [b] Note: Poll question should read: "Which players would you prefer to've seen the Mavericks acquire?" without restricting it to FA signings.