The Golden State Warriors lost one locker room and fan favorite this offseason when Kevon Looney signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. However, Dubs general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has retained wing
Gary Payton II to fill out the roster. Now one of the longest-tenured Warriors, Payton has re-signed on a one-year deal worth the veteran’s minimum. The Warriors announced the news on social media Monday morning.
Unlike De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford, Payton has officially signed, rather than just committed to signing.
Payton’s shooting ran hot and cold last season, with excellent shooting stretches early in the year and following the Jimmy Butler trade interupted by injuries that seemingly led to massive slumps. In the end, he appeared in 62 games (11 starts), averaging 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 steals in 15 minutes per game while shooting 57.4% from the field and 32.6% from three.
Despite his small stature and background as a guard, Payton’s role with the Warriors offensively is generally as a wing, usually the 4, to make up for his limited offensive skillset. Given the Warriors roster composition, he seems to be heading into the season as the fifth wing, slotted behind Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody on the depth chart who will be the primary backups to Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Of course, Payton has long been a favorite of head coach Steve Kerr, including over Kuminga. As the season goes on, Payton could easily usurp the younger options.
Payton’s journeyman career has now spanned nine NBA seasons. While only five have included the Warriors, 194 of Payton’s 270 career NBA games have come with Golden State. He has never played more than 29 games in a season with another team.
Health has often prevented Payton from taking another step forward, and set to turn 33 in December, it seems likely that Golden State should have low on-court expectations for the Oregon State alum. However, with so much roster turnover in recent years, Payton’s biggest contributions may come off the court as a role player who can provide stability and mentorship in the locker room.
