The Golden State Warriors have apparently re-signed Gary Payton II, the son of NBA great Gary Payton. The 32-year-old guard has been a backbone of the Warriors’ lineup these last five seasons. He had a short stint with the Portland Trail Blazers in the interim. Payton’s tenacious play was instrumental in helping the Warriors win the championship in 2022.
In his year-and-a-half with the Warriors, Payton averaged just 17 regular-season games per professional season. He had 11 playoff appearances, establishing himself as a presumably invaluable and dependable reserve in coach Steve Kerr’s rotation. For the Patriots, he made his name with his tenacity on both ends of the court. Even though he’s only 6 foot 2, he plays bigger than that and is able to convert a lot of finishes at the rim.
Last season, Payton inked a three-year, $26 million contract with Portland. Due to injuries, he was eventually traded back to Brooklyn where his attention shifted to rehabilitation post-surgery. His journey serves as a testament to type’s resilience, emphasizing his grit and focus to get back on his game and help lead his squad to victory.
Payton’s knack for coming through in crunch-time moments has proven his worth as a high-impact player for the Dubs. He’s been with the team his entire tenure, showing devotion and dedication. Warriors’ management appreciated his advice from the sidelines and wanted to get him back in the organization.
In addition to Payton’s return, young star Jonathan Kuminga faces an October 1 deadline to accept Golden State’s qualifying offer for the upcoming season. Kuminga has a bit of an injury history as well, having played just 44 games these past two seasons combined. His growth will be key to the organization’s long-term prospects as they attempt to continue their recent championship-building ways.
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