The Golden State Warriors announced they’ll follow through with the four-team deal that brought back fan-favorite guard Gary Payton II to San Francisco on Monday. The Warriors filed a complaint against the Portland Trail Blazers after Payton failed his physical due to an undisclosed abdomen injury not long after the trade was reported minutes before the NBA’s trade deadline.

Payton only played in 15 games this season due to recovery from the off-season surgery. While it seemed like Payton was cleared by the Blazers medical staff, reports came out that Payton had to take Toradol shots in order to rush back into action, but Payton’s agent has denied those claims.

“There’s medical disclosures, there’s conversations,” Myers said in a press conference earlier today. “And without risking specificity in this case, the normal course of business is just to provide whatever’s required and do that and that’s what happens in all the trades in the NBA, and I think other sports too.”

After news broke about Payton’s failed physical, the Warriors had until Feb. 12 to reject the trade. The Warriors decided to keep Payton, but with knowledge that Payton will be out for the foreseeable future. Payton will be re-evaluated in a month, per Bob Myers.

Payton II was a critical piece in the 2021-22 championship run. He plays bigger than he looks and thrived with the Warriors last season with his extensive ball-pressure and exciting poster dunks.

Payton II will bring back that energy and spark that the Warriors seem to have lacked this season. After the punch from Warriors forward Draymond Green before the season, the team chemistry and integration of the new players has not been smooth.

Though, the question rises — who will Payton take minutes from?

In an already guard-heavy roster, guard Donte DiVincenzo has thrived in the backup guard role — the same role Payton had last season.

Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr had to rely on two-way players like guard Ty Jerome at the point guard spot. Since Payton is more experienced with the Warriors system, Kerr might replace Jerome’s minutes with Payton.

The trade to send center James Wiseman to Detroit also leaves the Warriors front-court rotation thin. The Warriors do have one open roster spot left and could possibly go for someone in the buyout market.

“Yeah, we’ll have to look at the buyout market,” Myers said. “I think much like last year’s deadline, we moved forward with [Kevon] Looney and Draymond [Green], who have kind of split minutes in the regular season. JaMychal [Green], I guess is who you can call our other big.”

The Warriors could have some potential scary lineups defensively with Payton back in the fold. A lineup of DiVincenzo, Payton, forward Andrew Wiggins, Green and center Kevon Looney would cause havoc to opposing offenses.

Until Payton is cleared, the Warriors will have to anchor down defensively for the remainder of the season.

(Photo credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)