The 2023 NBA trade deadline came and went, and with the news that guard Gary Payton II could possibly not suit up for the Golden State Warriors in the foreseeable future, the Warriors are in dire need of depth.

The Warriors still have an open roster spot — one that’s been open since the start of the 2022-23 season. Historically, the Warriors always kept that roster spot open for salary cap purposes or for situations like these.

While the Warriors wait for the status of the Payton II, here are some players in the buyout market that can fill that roster spot and provide the Warriors some help.

Dewayne Dedmon

With the Warriors trading away center James Wiseman, the front-court rotation is now slimmer than ever. The Warriors front-court includes forwards Draymond Green, Kevon Looney, and JaMychal Green.

The Warriors opted to commit to their small-ball success by getting Payton back, but that leaves the front-court severely undermanned.

Dedmon, a 13-year NBA veteran, actually started his career with the Warriors back in 2013. Though his stint was short, the journeyman bounced around the NBA but had very successful stints with the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat.

His best years were with the Atlanta Hawks in 2018-19 season — where he averaged 10.8 points and grabbed 7.5 rebounds while appearing in 64 games. Dedmon provides a solid low-post presence and is a solid defender. While JaMychal Green has struggled in the early parts of the year trying to fit into the Warriors system and has been in and out of the lineup due to injury, Dedmon can provide a consistent presence down low and help out Looney in that center position.

Dedmon spent two seasons with the Miami Heat — and his first stint was a successful one, averaging 6.3 points coming off the bench while playing in 67 games. After a squabble with head coach Eric Spolstra, the Heat decided to trade him to the San Antonio Spurs, where he was waived.

James Johnson

Forward James Johnson has always been a respected veteran around the league. Though the Warriors traded one of their younger pieces, the team is still relatively young. Besides the core four and Looney, there aren’t that many veterans on the team.

Johnson can help provide that veteran presence to the Warriors. As a 17-year NBA veteran, he’s seen it all. Johnson can also be the enforcer on the team, as Johnson is also a second-degree black belt in martial arts.

Johnson signed with the Indiana Pacers after his stint with the Brooklyn Nets, but the Pacers waived Johnson after acquiring Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka and three future second round picks from the Milwaukee Bucks.

Johnson can also slide into the front-court, which will be critical considering the Warriors lack of front-court depth.

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