Good trade for both teams. Seattle didn't get a bad deal in the slightest.
Payton and Mason give Milwaukee tons of perimeter options to mix and match with Cassell, Thomas, Kukoc, and Redd. Still have major question marks at the 4/5 spots though.
Payton was leaving Seattle after this season. Despite his playing ability, he's been a cancer in the organization for years. They had their run with Kemp and Co. years back, but since then they haven't moved forward having Payton leading the show. He is still a good defender, but this isn't the Payton of 5 or 6 years ago who was an absolute demon on defense. And the question is will Payton sign with the Bucks?
Mason is a good young player who hopefully they can sign to a long term deal. I don't think he is going to become an instant All-Star in a few years...I think he is a bit overrated as far as where many people see him down the road. A good pickup though in the deal.
Ray Allen in one of the top five shooting guards in the league. Bit of an off year so far this season, but he's probably the best pure shooter in the game. No, defense isn't his strength and something he still needs to improve on. He can score and score efficiently though...great shooting percentages from the field, 3pt line, and FT line. Rebounding and passing are both above average for his position as well. Much younger than Payton and isn't a problem in the locker room. Easily forgotten is in the biggest games of his career he was the best player on the floor in the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2000. Had a superb postseason and was the main reason Milwaukee almost made it to the finals. Adding him and Campbell make them a better team right now, even if Barry plays the point, and if Campbell is dumped after the season, it's still a good deal for Seattle....I'll gladly take Ray Allen instead of having Payton walk and getting nothing in return, even if they had to get rid of Mason in the process.
