Frank Hughes of the Tacoma News Tribune reports: Seattle SuperSonics point guard Gary Payton said that he would like to see the organization re-sign forward Rashard Lewis when Lewis opts out of his contract this summer.

Last week, Lewis told The News Tribune he was going to exercise an escape clause in his contract and become a free agent in July. He also said he wants a contract from the Sonics that pays him the maximum, which would be a seven-year deal for $102 million.

Payton said that for the sake of the team's continuity, he would like to see Lewis come back.

Payton was asked if the organization could afford to pay Payton, Lewis and Vin Baker.

"I don't know nothing about that," Payton said. "That is up to ownership and stuff like that. I can't tell you ... if they want to pay money or whatever, I don't know nothing about that. But for us to stay together for about two or three more years, it would be good for all of us because then we know each other and we would start winning. For them to break us up and then have to start over different, it would be a big hassle for them. But I can't tell you what ownership is going to do. That is on them."

Although Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said he will speak with the Sonics about a possible extension, Payton declines to publicly discuss his situation or make demands.

Payton said, however, he would not have a problem if the Sonics pay Lewis more money than him.

"I don't worry about that," said Payton, who earns $12.9 million this season and $13.1 million next season, the final year of his contract. "I got a lot of money. I don't care about that. What am I going to care about somebody getting some money for? A lot of people in the NBA make a lot more money than me. I don't care. That don't mean nothing. I got a lot of money. What am I going to worry about (Lewis) getting money for? That's not my problem. I am well taken care of. I'm good. So I don't care about who makes what money. I don't care. That don't bother me."