Frank Hughes of the Tacoma News Tribune reports: You pose the question, and their eyes light up like little kids who just caught their first glimpse of Santa Claus.

In fact, they have known each other since they were kids, so it comes, really, as no surprise that when Seattle SuperSonics point guard Gary Payton and New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd were asked during Friday's media availability session at the NBA All-Star Game if they would like to play together, the answer was an unequivocal yes.

"It would be great," Payton said. "I would love to play with Jason. Me and him playing the (point guard) and the (shooting guard), and with us running down the floor, I know we both have dreamed about that before."
Kidd was even more demonstrative, which came as something of a surprise because he was guarded and reserved when asked about the possibility of playing with San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan.

But when Payton's name arose, he smiled widely and let out a long "Whewwwwwww. That would be a great option. To be able to play with Gary, I have got a lot of butt kickings from him from playing in the same conference (when Kidd was with the Suns) and also in the summer time (both are from Oakland).

Believe it or not, the possibility is more than just a dream. Both players will be free agents the summer of 2003, and so far neither is committed.

Both Payton and Kidd said they would take less money if they had the option of playing on the same team.