MILWAUKEE, July 8 (UPI) -- Veteran point guard Gary Payton does not yet have a new NBA team, but it is certain that he will not return to the Milwaukee Bucks next season.
"I did speak with Gary's agent, Aaron Goodwin, and he did confirm to us that Gary has declined our offer to remain in Milwaukee," Milwaukee General Manager Larry Harris told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "We respect that from Gary."
Payton, who made $12.6 million last season, has been talking to other teams, specifically the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Milwaukee is not an option," Goodwin told the Los Angeles Times.
Payton was acquired from Seattle for Ray Allen in one of the NBA's most significant trades in years last season. The Journal-Sentinel reported that the Lakers are the frontrunners in his job search, with Miami and Portland in the mix as well.
In 13 NBA seasons out of Oregon State, he has averaged 18.3 points and 7.4 assists per contest in 1,027 games.
