WALTHAM, Mass. -- Gary Payton, the veteran guard the Boston Celtics acquired in an offseason trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, reported to training camp on Monday.
Payton, 36, had said he didn't want to play in Boston or move his family from the West Coast. He missed an Aug. 13 deadline for his physical.
New Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who saw Payton in September in Las Vegas, had said he was hopeful that Payton would appear. Payton gives Boston an aggressive point guard who can lead the running game and play tight defense.
Payton was arrested Aug. 28 in California for suspected driving under the influence. He is scheduled to be in court on Oct. 15.
The Celtics start training camp at the University of Vermont on Tuesday.
Who is more likely to still be in Boston next April?
Derek Lowe
Gary Payton
Payton was traded to Boston on Aug. 6 as part of a deal that included the Celtics receiving the rights to Rick Fox, but the injury-plagued forward announced his retirement Thursday. The Lakers obtained Chucky Atkins, Marcus Banks and Chris Mihm. The Celtics also received a conditional first-round draft pick and cash.
When Payton missed the deadline for his physical, the trade was amended. The Celtics gave the Lakers forward Jumaine Jones instead of point guard Banks.
Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said last week that he believed Payton would report to camp, although Payton told one reporter days after the trade that he had no intention of joining the Celtics and desired a trade to a Western Conference team.
Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, was quoted last week as saying that Payton, a lifelong West Coast resident, did not object to playing for the Celtics in principle.
Rivers thinks Payton can help Banks and first-round pick Delonte West improve their point guard skills.
"The one intangible -- that is a bad one and a good one -- is the mean streak, nasty persona" that Payton has, Rivers said last week. "It might be more difficult for me at times, but I think, for the team, it's not a bad thing. I like who he is on the floor. I like his temperament on the floor."
Payton, 36, had said he didn't want to play in Boston or move his family from the West Coast. He missed an Aug. 13 deadline for his physical.
New Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who saw Payton in September in Las Vegas, had said he was hopeful that Payton would appear. Payton gives Boston an aggressive point guard who can lead the running game and play tight defense.
Payton was arrested Aug. 28 in California for suspected driving under the influence. He is scheduled to be in court on Oct. 15.
The Celtics start training camp at the University of Vermont on Tuesday.
Who is more likely to still be in Boston next April?
Derek Lowe
Gary Payton
Payton was traded to Boston on Aug. 6 as part of a deal that included the Celtics receiving the rights to Rick Fox, but the injury-plagued forward announced his retirement Thursday. The Lakers obtained Chucky Atkins, Marcus Banks and Chris Mihm. The Celtics also received a conditional first-round draft pick and cash.
When Payton missed the deadline for his physical, the trade was amended. The Celtics gave the Lakers forward Jumaine Jones instead of point guard Banks.
Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said last week that he believed Payton would report to camp, although Payton told one reporter days after the trade that he had no intention of joining the Celtics and desired a trade to a Western Conference team.
Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, was quoted last week as saying that Payton, a lifelong West Coast resident, did not object to playing for the Celtics in principle.
Rivers thinks Payton can help Banks and first-round pick Delonte West improve their point guard skills.
"The one intangible -- that is a bad one and a good one -- is the mean streak, nasty persona" that Payton has, Rivers said last week. "It might be more difficult for me at times, but I think, for the team, it's not a bad thing. I like who he is on the floor. I like his temperament on the floor."