Warriors Need to Bring Back Gary Payton II

His career average of 5.5 points per game doesn’t immediately scream must-have player for a team that has been scrambling to find offense. True Warriors fans, also Curry, know the impact of Payton’s presence goes well beyond the box score. 

Unique Play Style

Curry has previously referred to Payton as “the tallest 6-3 guy in the world” due to his unique ability to play above the rim and utilize his athleticism to generate easy points in transition. The Warriors have benefited greatly from the fast break opportunities that this skillset lends itself to/from his athleticism to his defensive prowess. 

Payton is primarily known for his active hands and quick feet defensively, pestering other teams’ best players by creating turnovers or forcing them into critical errors late into the shot clock. His contagious hustle and grit give his squad a fighting chance to create more possessions and wear down opposing teams.

Of course, Payton, who goes by GPII, was also an underrated part of the Warriors’ 2022 title run. While he was injured for the majority of those playoffs, his return to the NBA finals proved timely. His versatility in switching from Jaylen Brown to Jayson Tatum took a toll on the All-Stars as the series wore on. 

Off-Court Impact

Arguably just as important as his impact on the floor is his impact off of it. Payton is a beloved figure in the Warriors locker room, often joking around with teammates or uplifting them in games. This isn’t always the case around the league for someone who has been a journeyman, fighting for consistent minutes on a permanent team year after year. Situations like these can foster competition and tension within a locker room- a fight for playing time, larger roles, or more attention.

Stamp of Approval

This offseason isn’t the first time the Warriors’ leaders have vouched for Payton. On an episode of the ‘Draymond Green Show,’ after the Warriors had captured their championship in Boston, Green told a story highlighting Payton’s impact on the team. Back in 2021, when his first 10-day contract with the Warriors was coming to an end, Green assured him that there was no way they would allow the Warriors to release him.

“That 10-day ended here in Boston. And he’s dapping all of us up like, ‘Yo, it’s been great. I appreciate y’all.’ I’m like ‘What are you talking about?’ And he’s like, ‘My 10-day is up.’ I’m like ‘Dude, you’ll be here. See you later.”

Green and Curry both called then-General Manager of the Warriors, Bob Myers, to personally lobby for his return. 

“We’re like, ‘You can’t get rid of GP. Like, you got to bring him back. You see what he’s doing?” 

Practice Makes Perfect

Green and Curry have an up-close view of what he brings to the table, as Payton often tests his skills guarding Curry 1 on 1 during practices. Having the greatest shooter on the planet as a practice partner naturally promotes a winning mentality, with GPII continually reminding his teammates of his value.

In a 2022 post for the Players’ Tribune ahead of the NBA finals, he provided insight into what it was like guarding the league’s best marksman.

“He’s [Curry] one of the best ever to do it. So, you know, sometimes he’d get me. But I made sure it was never easy,” said Payton.

“We’ll see Bob Myers at the practice facility, and Steph will be like, ‘Don’t let that man go nowhere and have him guarding me in games. I don’t need that, Bob.”

The credibility Payton has acquired over the years has earned him a certain trust that could be the key to the Warriors retaining him.

Letting Him Slip Away

In the summer of 2022, the Warriors didn’t mind letting Payton walk after they declined to match his 3-year $28 million offer from the Portland Trailblazers. This was a move that would have sent the Warriors deeper into the luxury tax.

The possibility of re-signing him now is made even trickier by his notable injury history. Despite having only been in the league on a full contract for a few years, his age and scrappy play style have contributed to a long list of unpredictable injuries. 

Decision Time

In an offseason where the Warriors have made no moves thus far, Payton’s free agency decision could be the first domino to fall. If there’s anything that Dub Nation knows, it’s that Stephen Curry’s voice carries major weight throughout the organization.

Now the question is: Will that be enough?