EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) – Gary Payton has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN.com reported Tuesday.

The Lakers declined comment on the report, but a team spokesman told The Associated Press that general manager Mitch Kupchak would make a statement later Tuesday or Wednesday.

The free-agent guard severed ties with his former team, the Milwaukee Bucks, on Monday. He and other free agents are not allowed to sign contracts until July 16.

Payton’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, told ESPN.com that the longtime member of the Seattle SuperSonics has chosen the Lakers.

“He could have taken a lot more money to go somewhere else,” Goodwin said. “But he’s going to Los Angeles to follow his dream.”

Goodwin didn’t immediately return calls made by The Associated Press.

Payton, who was dealt by Seattle to Milwaukee at last season’s trade deadline, would be limited to earning $4.9 million with the Lakers in the first year of a multiyear contract.

Portland and Miami were also reportedly trying to sign Payton, a nine-time All Star and one of the league’s best defensive guards.

Bucks general manager Larry Harris said Monday that Payton declined to stay with Milwaukee.

Payton started 28 games for the Bucks, averaging a team-high 19.6 points and 7.8 assists.

AP-ES-07-08-03 1913EDT