Midseason blockbuster trades are nothing new to the NBA. Just about every season there seems to be a multiple player deal that significantly changes the playoff outlook. Usually there’s a mid-to-top-end player unhappy with his contract or his team’s status and makes himself a commodity ready to be dealt in the eyes of the organization.

Gary Payton had been unhappy with the lack of competitiveness in Seattle and coupled it with his disliking of big wigs in the organization.

Payton was definitely an open commodity. He had been that way for a couple seasons, but the Sonics always managed to find a way to compete and at least stay in the playoff hunt.

But last Thursday, it wasn’t the trade of Payton that was surprising; it was the fact that the Bucks moved Ray Allen to get him.

It was no rumor that George Karl wanted his boy Payton back under his wing. The trade of moving Payton to the Bucks had been rumored in the past, but the names of Sam Cassell, Tim Thomas and Glen Robinson always seemed to be mentioned instead of Milwaukee’s golden boy, who was the talent the Bucks didn’t want to move.

Arguably it was Allen who put Milwaukee on the map in terms of a city housing a highly talented player. The four-time all-star was a young, fresh face with considerable talent. The face was familiar as he introduced himself to the country not as Ray Allen, but as “Jesus Shuttlesworth” of a certain Spike Lee joint. The guy from Connecticut’s good looks and friendly manner with the press had him the role model that Milwaukee wanted to call its own.

Along with Robinson and Cassell, Allen led the Bucks to the 2001 NBA conference finals where they ultimately fell to Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers. The “Big Three” could definitely score, but they didn’t play enough defense to hold a lead in a close game.

That lack of defense exposed itself as the team failed to even make the playoffs in 2002.

It was no surprise the “Big Dog” was moved to Atlanta following the season, but the team still sputtered to just barely meet a .500 record at the trade deadline.

With Payton’s contract running out at the end of the season, and his afore mentioned problems with the team, Seattle desperately wanted at least something for its star; and Karl wanted his man, so the teams made their deadline deal.

Interestingly, Allen was moved instead of Cassell, leaving the Bucks with a surplus of point guards. In the past few weeks it had been Cassell who had problems with Karl and had been benched in key situations.

He seemed to have fit the criteria as a disgruntled player ready to be moved, but after the trade it turns out it was Allen who had also been at odds with Karl. Communication and coexistence had been on the decline between the two as the team delved deeper into its rut. It became a crapshoot, and ultimately Karl just wanted his man.

Karl’s shakeup has the Bucks focusing on just the remainder of the season as Payton’s future with the team is in doubt. The overcrowded backcourt could be a blessing inside, as the East has very few big men to be concerned with and different combinations of guards can cause different problems for opposing teams.

Most importantly for the Bucks is that they got an all-pro defender. Payton can carry just as much of the scoring as Allen, but brings better passing and a true defensive presence to the floor. Payton can easily slip into the two-spot, and leave the point guard duties to a man with much better handling in Cassell. With stellar sixth-man Michael Redd, Bucks fans have a backcourt to really get excited about.

The acquisition of the young and high-flying Desmond Mason gives the Bucks another small forward, and something to hold if Payton’s stay in Milwaukee ends up just being until the end of the season.

Ultimately, the deal weighs heavily on Karl’s shoulders. He’s depending on “The Glove” to deliver the Bucks back into the winners’ circle. Karl wasn’t able to handle the egos of the “Big Three” and Payton could make things even more awkward as Cassell may step on his coat tales.

If the addition of Payton doesn’t bring the Bucks into the elite of the eastern conference, the remainder of Karl’s stay in Milwaukee could be just as short as Payton’s.