Could free-agent point guard Gary Payton return to his hometown next season to play for the Golden State Warriors?

It may be a longshot, but "it's not by any means out of the question," said one of his agents, Eric Goodwin.

The Warriors are among five or six teams that Payton, a Skyline High graduate and nine-time NBA All-Star, likely will consider when he becomes a free agent July 1, according to Goodwin.

Eric Goodwin, part of the Oakland-based firm owned by his twin brother Aaron Goodwin, said Payton expects to look at the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers and the Warriors.

Payton said late last month on Fox Sports Net TV that "anything's possible" with regard to his future, but indicated the Bucks will get first crack. Payton was traded to Milwaukee in February after spending 121/2 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics.