Gary Payton II plans to return to the "Golden State Warriors" once the team resolves its ongoing situation with Jonathan Kuminga. The 32-year-old defensive specialist has maintained communication with the Warriors' front office throughout the process, showing patience as the team navigates complex roster decisions.
"A lot of the ancillary pieces, these veterans like De'Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II...All these veterans have been patient and in full communication, to my understanding, with the Warriors' front office that they would be amenable to finding some type of agreement once any possible sign-and-trade situation with Jonathan Kuminga got resolved," Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer revealed.
Payton has bounced in and out of the Warriors' rotation across five seasons, making his mark during their 2021-22 championship run. His defensive intensity and hustle earned him fan favorite status in the Bay Area despite a brief departure to the "Portland Trail Blazers" in 2022-23.
Last season proved particularly productive for the veteran guard. Payton appeared in 62 games under coach Steve Kerr, averaging 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in just 15 minutes per contest. Those numbers translate to impressive per-36-minute production: 15.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 steals.
Interestingly, the Warriors outscored opponents by 3.4 points per 100 possessions with Payton on the floor last season - clear evidence of his positive impact despite limited minutes.
The timing remains uncertain as Golden State continues working through the Kuminga negotiations. The Warriors have already assembled their new big three of Jimmy Butler, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green, but financial constraints tied to Kuminga's situation have limited additional roster moves.
For now, Payton waits. His return would provide much-needed depth and defensive grit for a Warriors team looking to contend again. Can Golden State finally resolve the Kuminga situation and secure Payton's services for another run?
