5 NBA legends you forgot played for the Boston Celtics

1. Gary Payton — 2004-05

Gary Payton had a few strange teams he played for at the end of his career. After leaving the Seattle Supersonics, he played for the Milwaukee Bucks. He was actually traded in a deal that included Ray Allen. He left the Bucks to join Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal on the Los Angeles Lakers. It turned out to be a flop as that legendary foursome lost in the NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons.

Payton was traded in the offseason to the Boston Celtics, and it was clear he wasn’t happy with his new home. The Lakers had a chance to try and shoot for redemption, but instead, they traded Payton, O’Neal, and fired Phil Jackson. It was a strange reaction that seemed to help Shaq but hurt everyone else involved.

Payton technically had two stints with the Celtics, but they both came this season. He was traded in the middle of the season to the Atlanta Hawks for Antoine Walker. The Hawks bought out his contract, and he returned to the Celtics a week later. It seems like something like that wouldn’t be allowed today, but we digress.

Payton averaged more than 11 points per game this season, but it wasn’t his best by a long shot. He was able to help the Celtics win the Atlantic Division, but they lost in the first round to the Indiana Pacers. It was the most forgettable year of Payton’s career, as he joined Shaq in Miami the next season and they won a championship.