Warriors Rumors: Gary Payton II Exercises $9.1M Contract Option for 2024 NBA Season
June 19, 2024
)Gary Payton II is reportedly going to play out the entirety of his contract with the Golden State Warriors after exercising his player option for 2024-25.
Kendra Andrews of ESPN reported Payton has opted in to his $9.1 million salary for next season.
After playing a key role off the bench for the Warriors during their championship season in 2021-22, Payton parlayed that into a three-year, $26.1 million contract from the Portland Trail Blazers in free agency.
A core muscle injury that required offseason surgery delayed Payton's debut with the Blazers until January 2023. The team decided to pivot in a different direction prior to the trade deadline, leading to Payton being traded back to Golden State in a four-team deal.
Payton was out of action for more than one month after the trade due to an adductor injury. The 31-year-old appeared in 19 of the Warriors' final 20 games, including the playoffs. He started the final three games of the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 2023-24 season saw Payton once again deal with injuries that limited his playing time. He was effective in a small role with 5.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game in 44 appearances.
Golden State's short- and long-term future is unclear this summer after missing the playoffs following a 118-94 loss to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament. Klay Thompson is the biggest free agent question for the organization to answer.
Chris Paul has a $30 million non-guaranteed salary for next season. The Warriors have until June 28 to decide if they want to bring him back. Jonathan Kuminga is extension eligible this offseason after the best season of his young career.
ESPN's Bobby Marks noted the Warriors can get $54 million under the second apron with Thompson's deal expired and by waiving Paul and Kevon Looney. This could be a priority for governor Joe Lacob and the front office after spending $382 million in 2023-24 between player salaries and luxury-tax payments to finish 10th in the Western Conference.
Due to the injuries that have piled up for Payton in recent years, it's not a surprise he would take the certainty of a $9.1 million salary for next season than try to test the open market.
The Warriors need more reliable defensive players beyond Draymond Green. Payton is still capable of being a quality stopper who is also a decent shooter when he gets open looks.
This could also open the door for Payton to be traded since an expiring contract will have value for a Warriors team trying to build a championship-caliber roster around Stephen Curry.
Whatever ends up happening at this point, Payton knows he is under contract for next season. The Warriors know they have some flexibility to make a move if the right opportunity presents itself.
