On this day in Boston Celtics history, former Celtics point guard Gary Dwayne Payton Sr. was traded to the team with one-time Boston draft pick Rick Fox.
In return, the Los Angeles Lakers — Payton’s team at the time — sent back big man Chris Mihm, small forward Jumaine Jones, and point guard Chucky Atkins in the trade. The Glove — as he was often called — was not thrilled about being dealt to the Celtics, and his reticence to join the team would require the trade to be amended after Payton initially refused to report for his physical. The physical had been part of the original deal, as was guard Marcus Banks.
Boston also got out of having to send out a second-round draft pick as part of the renegotiated deal.
The Oakland native ultimately gave it the old college try and made it to late February before he was dealt to the Atlanta Hawks as part of the package that brought back forward Antoine Walker to the team that drafted him.
Payton Sr. averaged 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.
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