Warriors expected to lose one key player in free agency

Another member of the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 NBA championship team may soon be moving on.

Warriors guard Gary Payton II is “looking doubtful” to return to the team as a free agent this summer, Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area reported on Saturday. Poole further characterizes Payton’s potential return to Golden State as being “in serious jeopardy.”

Payton, a 32-year-old defense-first wing player, is due to become an unrestricted free agent. Though his stats are unimpressive (6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 15.0 minutes per game last year), Payton is a high-value role player who provides intangibles that do not often show up in the box score.

There is also plenty of history between Payton and the Warriors. Payton originally signed with the Warriors in 2021 and became a crucial contributor to the team’s 2022 NBA title. He then left to sign with the Portland Trail Blazers in free agency after winning the championship but was traded back to the Warriors in 2023 after a fairly dramatic saga.

Golden State has other issues to worry about this offseason, particularly the restricted free agency of 22-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga. That means that Payton, who is a decade older than Kuminga, might not be a top priority for them.

Payton, who is also a 34.0 percent career three-point shooter, should have a good amount of suitors if he decides not to return to the Warriors. Meanwhile, Golden State may be trying for some higher-upside options at the guard spot this summer instead.