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This Day in Celtics History: The Gary Payton Trade

By John Goggin

Feb 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA former player Gary Payton during the NBA Hall of Fame Annoucement at New Orleans Hyatt. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; NBA former player Gary Payton during the NBA Hall of Fame Annoucement at New Orleans Hyatt. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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11 years ago today, the Boston Celtics completed an interesting  trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, that sent Hall of Famer Gary Payton, veteran Rick Fox, and a 2006 first rounder to the Celtics. In exchange, the Celtics sent back Chris Mihm, Chucky Atkins, and Marcus Banks, as well as a 2005 second rounder.

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Both players acquired didn’t spend much time with Boston. Rick Fox, who played for the Celtics from 1991 to 1997, retired after the trade, instead of making a return to his old team. Gary Payton was an instrumental piece in a later trade with the Atlanta Hawks that brought back three-time All-Star Antoine Walker. The Lakers pick was also included in this trade, as well as Tom Gugliotta and Michael Stewart being sent to Atlanta.

What’s interesting is that first rounder that was sent to Atlanta. The pick was later traded yet again to the Phoenix Suns, the third team to hold the pick, in the trade that sent Joe Johnson to Atlanta. The Hawks sent Boris Diaw and 2 first rounders, the pick from the Antoine Walker trade, and a 2008 first rounder. This was the last team to hold the pick, but it doesn’t stop there.

The Suns got the 21st overall pick from the 2006 first rounder and drafted Kentucky point guard Rajon Rondo. On draft night, the Celtics acquired Rajon Rondo from the Suns, as well as Brian Grant in exchange for a 2007 first rounder.

In review, the Celtics got a first round pick and two aging veterans from the Lakers, which was flipped for an All-Star player, and then acquired the player drafted with that pick two years later. Rondo later helped Boston win their 17th championship and became a four-time All-Star.

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