[2][3] In a year of transition, the Bucks played mediocre basketball with a 14–20 start, but then won 13 of their next 16 games, and held a 25–23 record at the All-Star break.
[4] In February 2003, just before the trading deadline, the Bucks dealt 3-time All-Star shooting guard Ray Allen to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for 34 year-old All-Star point guard Gary Payton and Desmond Mason.
[5][6][7] The Bucks won eight of their final nine games finishing fourth in the Central Division with a 42–40 record.
[10][11][12] The Nets would reach the Finals for the second consecutive year, but would lose in six games to the San Antonio Spurs.
[13][14][15] Following the season, Payton signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers,[16][17][18] while Cassell and Ervin Johnson were both traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves,[19][20] head coach George Karl was fired,[21][22] and Mason retired.