It was three years ago, after the Warriors’ improbable 2022 NBA championship run, that they were faced with a dilemma of having to part ways with one of two revered role players among coaches, teammates and the fan base.
When the Portland Trail Blazers offered Gary Payton II a three-year contract worth $28 million that offseason, he couldn’t turn down a contract the Warriors couldn’t match, despite his hope to stay with the franchise that first believed in him and changed his career. His departure also opened the door for Kevon Looney to stay in Golden State on a three-year, $22.5 million contract.
Three years later, Looney is the one on the move and Payton is the one walking back through the doors of Chase Center.
Looney and the New Orleans Pelicans agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract a few hours after the opening of NBA free agency on June 30, a number that the Warriors never were going to come close to. Indications going into free agency also suggested Payton’s time with the Warriors likely was coming to an end. But he always wanted to remain a Warrior, and after waiting three months, that became a reality Sunday.
Payton has committed to sign a deal with the Warriors, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday evening, citing sources.
And even if Payton’s role continues to drop, he still holds value to the Warriors for a handful of reasons.
He played 62 regular-season games last year, his most since that 2021-22 championship season, but Payton’s 15 minutes per game were his lowest ever as a Warrior. By now, it’s well known how unique of a player Payton is. At 6-foot-2, Steve Kerr uses him as a power forward in the dunker spot on offense and a point guard on defense who can go up against multiple positions and players of varying sizes and skill sets.
There isn’t a player on the roster Kerr trusts more to disrupt a top scorer on the ball. Payton will pick you up full-court and make you work for every inch. It’s in his blood.
The Western Conference is full of stars that make Kerr confident in plucking Payton from the bench and unleashing his tenacity to throw them off rhythm and flip the game in the Warriors’ favor. The list includes the likes of Anthony Edwards, James Harden, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ja Morant and many more. But Payton last season wasn’t quite as effective as the past.
He finished the season with a 110.1 defensive rating, which was the same number as Buddy Hield, a 3-point specialist whose pluses aren’t associated with that side of the ball. Payton’s defensive win shares were among the worst on the team. But he also ranked fifth in the NBA in deflections per 75 possessions, and was the fourth-best wing stopper by D-LEBRON last season.
Some stats will be in his favor, others won’t. Some games will call for Payton’s duties, others won’t. Plenty of Payton’s services are based on matchups, and there will be nights where he undoubtedly is a game-changer.
There also is the fact he’s another player on Rick Celebrini’s long list of injury concerns, needing to find the right concoction to keep his motor running at the right times. That includes making sure Payton doesn’t keep popping up on the injury report with an illness, too.
But aside from his stingy defense and poster dunks, there’s another reason it was important to keep Payton in a Warriors jersey. Steph Curry is the reason.
Curry always has vouched for Payton’s importance. He’s one of a few who perfectly understand how to play next to Curry, freeing him with a mixture of screens, movement and knowing where he’s going to wind up on the court. The two played 53 games together last season and produced a 5.2 net rating with a 117.8 offensive rating and 112.7 defensive rating.
Those are essentially the same numbers Curry and Jimmy Butler had as a duo – slightly better, actually. Butler played 128 fewer minutes next to Curry than Payton and had a 5.0 net rating with a 117.5 offensive rating and 112.5 defensive rating.
In an 82-game regular season, Payton could receive more DNPs than in the past and might see limited action at times. There also will be games where he’s absolutely invaluable. That’s how it goes.
Payton’s personality is loved throughout the franchise and his impact is felt in the community. The Bay has become, and always will be, home to the son of an Oakland legend. Add in his play that’s uniquely him for a team and coach that best utilizes his ability and it’s easy to see why Payton still holds value in being on the Warriors’ roster.
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