Gary Payton On Importance Of Seattle Supersonics Franchise Possibly Returning To NBA In 2028

BusinessSportsMoneyGary Payton On Importance Of Seattle Supersonics Franchise Possibly Returning To NBA In 2028ByDJ Siddiqi,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. DJ Siddiqi is a reporter who covers the NFL, NBA, and pro wrestling.Follow AuthorApr 20, 2026, 05:24pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Gary Payton echoes the importance of the NBA possibly returning to the city of Seattle for the first time in two decades: "Really big." (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)Getty ImagesIt’s no secret that Gary Payton is one of the biggest legends in Seattle sports history.The Hall of Game point guard starred for 13 years for the Seattle Supersonics and established his basketball legacy in the city. Payton not only led the Supersonics to the 1996 NBA Finals where they defeated the 72-win Chicago Bulls twice in the series – after Payton famously switched to guard Michael Jordan in Game 4 – but he won the Defensive Player of the Year as the first-ever point guard to do it.In addition to those accolades, Payton led the league in assists and steals as a member of the Supersonics while going to nine All-Star games.It’s been 18 years since Seattle has had an NBA franchise after the Supersonics moved and became the Oklahoma City Thunder. With the NBA moving forward with expansion as soon as the 2028-29 season, it appears Seattle will be getting an NBA franchise back for the first time in two decades.“Really big,” said Payton in a one-on-one interview of the meaning of having the NBA back in Seattle. “We’ve been done away for 18 seasons now, 18 big years. People have been really, really looking forward to it now that the NBA has announced and our great Commissioner does what he’s doing, he’s given us an opportunity to come back and show that this is a city that needs basketball, and that’s what we’re about to do.”The NBA Board of Governors...