While the Golden State Warriors have re-signed Draymond Green as they fill out their roster after losing the LeBron James sweepstakes, Dubs free agent Gary Payton II remains on the market. However, according to a report by Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Payton remains “in consideration for a minimum deal from the Warriors” as the front office is working to fill out the roster, which has three spots remaining. Per Siegel, Payton “shares a level of mutual interest in returning to the Warriors.”
A basketball
journeyman for most of his twenties, Payton found his place as a high-energy role player who has the ability to lockdown players on the perimeter. Payton has played with the Warriors for each of the past six seasons (although he did also have a short stint with the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2022-23 season). Despite his long injury history, Payton has been quietly one of the Dubs healthiest role players over the past two seasons.
In 2025-26, Payton averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.9 steals in 15.6 minutes per game across 73 appearances on 58.3%/29.1%/65.0% shooting. For his career, the 33-year-old Payton has averaged 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steal in 15.1 minutes per game on 56.4%/32.8%/63.0% shooting.
