Payton mind on winning, unfazed by rumors

The trade rumors have not affected Sonics point guard Gary Payton, who said yesterday that his chief concern is ending Seattle's five-game losing streak tomorrow night against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

"I'm going to keep on doing what I'm doing," he said. "Trust me. That other stuff, that's not bothering me."

His statement followed General Manager Rick Sund's decree on Monday that no Sonic is untouchable and the team is mulling offers as the Feb. 20 trading deadline approaches.

Seattle management made it clear that the team's plummeting 16-20 record will not push them to make a deal, but "if an opportunistic opportunity arises, we'll certainly look at it," Sund said.

Payton, a 13-year veteran, has heard the trade talk before and seems ambivalent about the possibility of being traded.

Other Sonics, namely Calvin Booth, took a different stance yesterday. The backup center made comments that suggested he would welcome a change.

"I look forward to (playing), whether it be in Seattle or somewhere else," Booth said. "Wherever I can play, it doesn't matter to me."

A year ago, Booth, a 6-foot-11 center, signed a six-year, $34 million contract as a free agent and believed he'd have a chance to win a starting job. An ankle injury and midseason surgery caused him to miss 67 games last season.

His rehabilitation regimen had been remarkable. Booth remained in Seattle and worked out at the Sonics' facility nearly every day last summer. He even had a personal trainer accompany him on his honeymoon, believing this would be his breakout year.

So far, Booth's production (averaging 2.4 points and 2.3 rebounds) has not warranted his $5 million salary for this season. He has appeared in 27 games, averages slightly more than 11 minutes and has yet to start.

"There hasn't been much communication between me and the coaching staff," Booth said. "He (Coach Nate McMillan) goes with what he feels and I guess, as of right now, he feels like I'm the person that he's not giving time to so he's gone another way.

"It's a little disappointing. But it's something you got to deal with. ... Any veteran who's used to the NBA knows that at any point in time, nobody is untouchable ever. So it's always a trade possibility looming and it's something that you deal with."

McMillan said: "If that's how he feels, (then) that's how he feels."

"Everybody gets nervous at this time," McMillan said. "Everybody. As we move on I'm sure more names will be thrown out there. ... A lot of guys' names will be mentioned."

Note

• Center/forward Vitaly Potapenko may start tomorrow in place of injured Vladimir Radmanovic, who sprained his right ankle Sunday. The Sonics are also considering starting center Predrag Drobnjak alongside 7-1 center Jerome James.

Percy Allen: 206-464-2278 or pallen@seattletimes.com.