Fan-favorite Gary Payton II, a key cog in last year’s title run, is coming back to the Warriors.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Golden State is flipping the five second round picks it received from dumping James Wiseman to Portland for Payton II.
The flurry of moves essentially amounts to taking the scenic route to a 1-for-1 swap of Wiseman for Payton II.
With the Warriors gearing up to defend their title, Payton presents a clearly viable option to contribute off the bench. He’s familiar with Golden State’s system and personnel and should help sure up a bench unit that’s ranged from inconsistent to underwhelming this season.
The deal was reported 10 minutes before the trade deadline. Wojnarowski also reported that Kevin Knox, included in the Wiseman deal, is heading to Portland.
Payton made Golden State’s roster last year after he signed a partially guaranteed contract and earned rotational minutes based on his point-of-attack defense and energy. In 71 regular season games, he averaged 7.1 points and 1.4 steals in 17.6 minutes per game.
In the playoffs, a fractured elbow knocked him out for most of the Western Conference Semifinals and the entire series against Dallas. But he returned in the Finals against Boston and provided resistance to the Celtics’ dynamic wings. In Game 5, he posted 15 points, five rebounds and three steals in a pivotal win.
With his play, Payton earned a three-year, $26 million deal with Portland. Because of Golden State’s tax situation, matching that offer would have been cost prohibitive.
But now, a reunion is in order.
