July 10, 200322 yr from espn.com The Mailman delivered his decision. A league source told ESPN the Magazine's Ric Bucher that Karl Malone has decided to join the Los Angeles Lakers. The move comes just days after Gary Payton joined the team as well. Malone showed strong interest in the Lakers from the start of the free-agent negotiations on July 1, to a degree that the Hall of Fame-bound power forward is apparently willing to join the dethroned champions for a mere $1.5 million -- a cut of almost $18 million from his 2002-03 salary. The $1.5 million figure is the most L.A. could offer Malone next season after committing its $4.9 million mid-level exception to Payton. Malone would have likely been able to get more money if he signed with San Antonio, Sacramento or Dallas. The Jazz were exploring sign-and-trade possibilities (with the Kings) and the Lakers' three West rivals were hesitant to let Malone join L.A.'s new star trio unopposed. But it was believed that Malone, who turns 40 on July 24, wasn't considering re-signing with the Jazz for less than the $8 million earned by John Stockton in his final season. With Malone signing elsewhere, and with Stockton opting for retirement, Utah likely has nearly $20 million in salary-cap space to undertake a dramatic restructuring of its roster. ESPN.com senior writer Marc Stein contributed to this report. SA or DAL better get another player.... otherwise this is over
July 10, 200322 yr If SA does not get Kidd and another big man their in doubt but I can't doubt a team that plays well together but of course their RP are going and that is not good for them.
July 10, 200322 yr That bastard.... I HATE THE GLOVE, AND I HATE THE MAILMAN! Jason Kidd or Jermaine O'Neal better come to Miami, damnit!
July 10, 200322 yr That bastard.... I HATE THE GLOVE, AND I HATE THE MAILMAN! Jason Kidd or Jermaine O'Neal better come to Miami, damnit! Kidd is going to SA because I doubt The whole Scott thing is true. O'Neal is going back to Indiana That's about it.
July 10, 200322 yr Kidd is returning to jersey. oneal has already said he is returning to indiana. malone and payton are spreading their legs for the lakers. now we will be 'blessed' with more non-stop laker games on tv next year. i am thrilled.
July 10, 200322 yr You may not agree with this Das, I don't like either of them but guys that have done this much in their careers deserve a ring and this is their only shot right now. Well of course Malone could have gone to SA but I didn't think that would happen. Right now all I care about is landing Pip back where he belongs.
July 10, 200322 yr It appears O'Neal is re signing with Indiana no suprise their, It's on The ESPN bottom line if you were curious.
July 11, 200322 yr nobody 'deserves' a ring. payton and especially malone are whoring themselves out for a ring. Because they couldnt do it with the Sonics and Jazz respectively. Of course Jordan did push off big time on Russell in that last game...which proved that the NBA would never have Jordan lose an NBA Final series...but thats not the real point.
July 11, 200322 yr Because they couldnt do it with the Sonics I really thought The SuperSonics were going to win, Scremph(sp?), Kemp when he was good and Payton wertr a great team. I still ponder how the did not win at least one.
July 11, 200322 yr Who the hell is left to go to Miami? Odom? its Been Said that the Heat are Interested in: Gilbert Arenas, Brad Miller, Lamar Odom and Olowakandi (dunno if the spelling is right)
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