MIAMI — Gary Payton seriously considered accepting a free-agent offer from the Miami Heat last week but opted instead to join the Los Angeles Lakers because the lure of winning a championship was impossible to ignore.
Payton said Heat coach Pat Riley offered him a multiyear deal and nearly enticed him to accept it.
However, when Payton learned that Karl Malone was headed to the Lakers, he said the final choice was easy.
"When Karl said what he was going to do, I figured I couldn't miss that chance, playing with the Lakers," Payton said. "With four great players like us playing with each other, we're going to have a great chance to win a championship."
Payton and Malone, who can sign free-agent deals with the Lakers on Wednesday, will join Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant on a team that will be heavily favored to win the NBA title.
Neither Payton nor Malone have ever won a championship. Both will take significant pay cuts this coming season; Payton will earn $4.9 million, Malone will likely earn $1.4 million.