Payton II Roster Favorite with Cook Out of the Picture
The Warriors got a little more clarity Tuesday on who can fill out their final roster spot.
After working out with Golden State, a reunion with guard Quinn Cook is no longer in the cards, as the former Warrior and 2018 NBA Champion inked a non-guaranteed deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Additionally, despite also working out Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley, it seems increasingly likely Golden State will look in-house for their final guard addition.
According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, Gary Payton II has a slight edge to be player no. 15 on the roster in a spot to almost surely be used on a guard or wing.
Payton II’s time on the team last season was brief, but it was impactful enough to earn him a spot on the Summer League roster for the Warriors. Payton shot north of 70% from the field in 2021, but took just 13 shots in his 10 games with the team. However, his experience in the league and his limited performance in Las Vegas could further indicate his worthiness as an addition to the team.
An Oregon State product, just like his father Gary Payton, Payton II has proven his ability to score from inside the arc, posting a 53.1% mark from 2-point range over his career. Where he has struggled is from distance, shooting just 26.7% for four different teams.
However, what can be more credibly vouched for is his explosiveness and his defense.
Payton II turned heads with a left-handed tomahawk late in a game this past summer against Toronto, neutralizing three Raptor defenders on his way to the cup.
Furthermore, when playing for Toronto’s G League affiliate Raptors 905 in the G League bubble, Payton II followed in his father’s footsteps in taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors for the NBA’s minor league.
Payton II led all players in the bubble with 2.54 steals per game, while also averaging a robust 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. In just three games in the Summer League, Payton II backed up his bubble performance by averaging 11.3 points in 26.6 minutes per contest.
Bradley is known for his defensive strength as well, and has made two All-Defensive teams in his career, but Payton II is two years his junior with experience in the Warriors’ system. Thomas has shown prolific scoring abilities in his time in the league, but has played in just 55 games over the past three seasons and represents a defensive liability standing at just five-foot-nine.
The only other notable candidate, who would also be a returner, is guard Mychal Mulder. Mulder barely missed out on 40% from 3-point range last season and played 12.8 minutes per game as a relied-upon rotation player.
The Canadian national also has a more proven offensive track record, but Payton II has him beat as more of a true point guard Golden State could use to facilitate its reserve offense.
(Photo courtesy of Golden State Warriors)