Payton Thinks NBA Will Be Back In Seattle By 2011

From RealGM:

Former Sonic great Gary Payton has said he will not let the Oklahoma City franchise retire his number 20 jersey, and he believes that the NBA will be back in Seattle within three years, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting.

"I think I made that clear; I didn't play in Oklahoma, so it wouldn't be anything that I'm looking forward to because I didn't play for the Oklahoma Thunder," he said at the Seahawks game on Sunday. "I don't think that Oklahoma should get the benefits of seeing me raise my number. I think these people here are the people who have seen me and made me who I am."

Payton predicted Seattle will get a new team within three years.

"I'm inside with the NBA a little bit; I think before 2011 a team will be here," he said. "A lot of teams want to move, and I think Seattle's got a good shot at it."

I doubt the Thunder actually need his permission to retire #20 for the franchise, though without his participation the decision to do so and the resulting ceremonies would be something of a farce. I admire The Glove's passion though, it comes off as a bit of a slight to Oklahoma but I think it's simply affection for Seattle rather than general disdain of Oklahoma City.

As for his predictions of a Supersonics revival, I'm not so sure. It would be great for basketball fans in Seattle if that were the case but with all the arena issues it doesn't seem likely to be so soon.

I think the only way Seattle is going to get a "new" sonics team is if we get 2 new expansion teams. I can't say I see any of the current NBA teams moving nor do I see the NBA playing with 31 teams.

Agreed, they'd probably prefer to keep the conferences even with the current division format.

it'll be cool if each state has a team....but then it'll be like alot of matches....

it'll be cool if each state has a team....but then it'll be like alot of matches....

Lol that would make 51 teams if you include the Raptors, that honestly wouldn't work out. 25 teams a conference?? Insane.

Imagine the Hawaii road trip.

with an even number of teams and a lack of desirable arena to play in, i don't tihnk Seattle will get the push Charlotte did when they lost the Hornets.

how long did it take for them to get another team? 3 maybe 4 years?

it'll be cool if each state has a team....but then it'll be like alot of matches....

Lol that would make 51 teams if you include the Raptors, that honestly wouldn't work out. 25 teams a conference?? Insane.

52 because DC isn't in a particular state.

how long did it take for them to get another team? 3 maybe 4 years?

Pretty much zero. They were basically assured another one if the Hornets left. The rest was mere formalities of finding an owner, getting approval, etc.

how long did it take for them to get another team? 3 maybe 4 years?

Not even that. When the Hornets moved to New Orleans for the 2002/2003 season, Charlotte was promised an expansion team to commence play in the 2004/2005 season.

It would be 58 teams. Obama visited 57 states with one left to go. I have been trying to figure out for the life of me where these hidden states are.

I think Seattle should get a new team in due time. I mean the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore and 4 years later a new Browns team emerged that got to keep all the heritage of the original Cleveland team. It's just a matter of time, but it's not going to happen immediately.

Seattle mayor still eyeing NBA’s return

Of note:

In a statement immediately after the Sonics and Seattle settled their lease dispute in July, which allowed the team to move to Oklahoma City, NBA commissioner David Stern said the league would assist in helping Seattle acquire a new team if state lawmakers approve a KeyArena remodel before the end of 2009

Perhaps it isn't all that farfetched.

Imagine the Hawaii road trip... I'm still laughing xD



Florida has Miami and Orlando... I can see Miami moving to Alaska so they became the Alaska Heat. Nice road

I don't think the entire state of Wyoming can fill up a basketball arena.