New Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who saw Payton this month in Las Vegas, is hopeful Payton will report on time.

“We literally bumped into each other because I hadn’t tried to call,” Rivers said. “Danny’s done a great job of talking to his agent. I don’t think I need to get involved in that. I have to coach the guy.

“I put two and two together. He’s working out every day and he’s under contract with the Celtics so he’s working out for something,” he added. “I don’t worry about it. I think things are going to work out.”

On Aug. 6, the Celtics obtained Payton and Rick Fox from the Los Angeles Lakers for Chucky Atkins, Marcus Banks and Chris Mihm. The Celtics also received a conditional first-round draft pick and cash in the deal and sent a second-round pick to the Lakers. Fox, beset by injuries last season, is expected to retire.

Ainge visited Payton at the player’s California home on Aug. 9 and talked regularly in August with Goodwin.

But when Payton missed an Aug. 13 deadline for his physical, the trade was amended. The Celtics gave the Lakers forward Jumaine Jones instead of point guard Banks and regained the second-round pick.

And on Aug. 28, Payton was arrested by the California Highway Patrol and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 15.

Payton, 36, would give the Celtics an aggressive point guard who can lead the running game that Rivers wants and play tight defense. With the Lakers, he played in the shadow of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in a slowdown offense that accommodated the two stars, who often were at odds.

“My gosh,” Ainge said, “the coaching staff in L.A. managing Kobe and Shaq has been a nightmare. Gary Payton was an angel compared to Kobe and Shaq.”

After seeing his market value drop following his worst season as a pro, Payton exercised a one-year, $5.4 million option to stay in Los Angeles before the trade. He reportedly was upset because, among other things, he has a 16-year-old daughter about to start high school and is unwilling to relocate his family.

The Celtics, whose regular practice facility is in this Boston suburb, will hold a six-day training camp starting Tuesday at the University of Vermont in Burlington. Rivers likes the idea of keeping the players together rather than having them scatter at the end of the twice daily workouts.

Rivers thinks Payton can help Banks and first-round pick Delonte West improve their point-guard skills.

“The one intangible – that is a bad one and a good one – is the mean streak, nasty persona” that Payton has, Rivers said. “It might be more difficult for me at times, but I think, for the team, it’s not a bad thing. I like who he is on the floor. I like his temperament on the floor.”

AP-ES-09-29-04 1923EDT