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NBA: 5 franchise players who won a championship with the wrong team

By Eric Santos

NBA Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
NBA Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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22 Mar 2001: Gary Payton #20 of the Seattle SuperSonics moves with the ball against Shawnn Marion #31 of the Phoenix Suns during the game at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Suns defeated the Sonics 91-88. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr /Allsport
22 Mar 2001: Gary Payton #20 of the Seattle SuperSonics moves with the ball against Shawnn Marion #31 of the Phoenix Suns during the game at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. The Suns defeated the Sonics 91-88. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr /Allsport /

Gary Payton (Miami Heat)

Gary Payton is the most productive player player to ever play for the now defunct Seattle Supersonics. He is the franchise’s leader in points, assists, steals, and games played. There is no doubt, during his 13 years with the Supersonics, he was the face and heartbeat of the organization.

Unfortunately, while the Supersonics made it to the playoffs for most of Payton’s tenure, they struggled getting to the Finals. The closest Payton could bring Seattle to it’s second championship, was a losing six game series in the 1996 Finals against the Jordan-led Bulls.  

During the 2002 trade deadline, Payton was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, leaving behind an untouchable legacy in Seattle. He did lead the Bucks in scoring for that year, but his career began to go down hill, dropping in productivity and team hopping in future seasons.

By 2005, he was fizzling out the last years of his playing career, signing as a backup guard for the Miami Heat. This is the season Payton would finally win an NBA championship, but as part of a team that holds no great sentiment to him and in a role that many other guards could have filled.

The Miami Heat during this time was Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal’s team. The Supersonics were the only team Gary Payton could have gotten full satisfaction helping win a championship, especially holding so many franchise records. Instead, he got an early retirement gift from Wade, carrying the Heat to victory with a series average of 34.7 points per game.