Gary Payton should be placed on waivers on Tuesday by Atlanta and, assuming he clears, the point guard is leaning toward a return to the Celtics.
   
``We've reached an agreement with the Hawks, and things should be in place no later than early (Tuesday),'' said Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin. ``It's just going to be a matter of getting the paperwork approved by the league."

Payton has received interest from championship contending teams such as Phoenix and Miami, but Goodwin says that the future Hall of Famer is leaning towards returning to Boston.

``Quite honestly, Gary's out with his family and his mom, and I haven't talked to him much,'' Goodwin said. ``I think he's leaning toward coming back to the Celtics. I think he likes what's going on in Boston. I still have to talk to him about things, but I think that's where he wants to end up. But you never know with Gary.''