Gary Payton II Is Making the Most of His Moment - Again
Gary Payton II’s path to NBA relevance has never been a straight line. It’s been more of a winding, uphill climb - the kind that demands persistence, patience, and a whole lot of grit. But if there’s one thing Payton has proven time and again, it’s that when opportunity knocks, he knows how to answer.
Now, in the midst of a stretch where the Golden State Warriors are battling injuries and searching for stability, Payton is once again stepping up - and reminding everyone why he's more than just a feel-good story.
From Undrafted to Undeniable
Let’s rewind. Payton went undrafted in 2016 despite stuffing the stat sheet at Oregon State - 16 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. He had the numbers, the defensive instincts, the rebounding tenacity - but standing just 6-foot-2, teams weren’t quite sure where he fit.
That didn’t stop him. He started his pro career in the G League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and wasted no time showing he belonged. His defense stood out immediately, but it was a 51-point explosion against the Los Angeles D-Fenders that turned heads and hinted at a more complete game than many had expected.
From there, it was a tour through NBA locker rooms and G League gyms: a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2017, a brief stint with the Lakers (where he dropped 25 points and 12 rebounds in a season finale against the Clippers), and more back-and-forth between the big league and its developmental counterpart.
But it wasn’t until he landed with the Warriors in 2021 that Payton found his true breakthrough. He carved out a niche as a defensive spark plug and athletic slasher, eventually playing a key role in Golden State’s 2022 title run. He even started two games in the Western Conference Finals and made a strong impact in the NBA Finals, including a 15-point, 5-rebound, 3-steal performance in a pivotal Game 5 win over Boston.
A Return to Golden State - and a Familiar Role
After a brief (and injury-plagued) stint with the Portland Trail Blazers, who signed him to a three-year, $28 million deal in the 2022 offseason, Payton was traded back to the Warriors in February 2023. Since then, his role has been something of a moving target.
He’s never quite locked down a starting spot - 11 starts last season mostly came due to injuries - and this year, he’s averaged a modest 5.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 50 games. His best game came back in November, when he dropped 19 points and grabbed 11 boards in a win over the Pelicans.
But now, with the Warriors dealing with a rash of injuries, Payton’s number is being called again - and he’s delivering.
Making an Impact When It Matters
Over the past four games, Payton has seen a noticeable uptick in minutes - and he’s making the most of them. In just under 19 minutes per game, he’s averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 steals. That’s classic Payton: efficient, disruptive, and impactful on both ends.
What makes him so valuable in this stretch isn’t just the box score. It’s the way he plays - the cutting, the screening, the off-ball movement, the energy on defense.
He’s the kind of player who doesn’t need plays run for him to make a difference. He fills gaps, pressures ball handlers, and brings a level of physicality that this Warriors team has sorely needed with key guys out.
On Wednesday night, he was arguably Golden State’s most effective guard in the first half, tallying 10 points and five assists as the Warriors took a 67-63 lead into the break - all without Steph Curry or Jimmy Butler on the floor.
But then came a head-scratcher: Payton logged just two minutes in the second half, even as Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer struggled to find rhythm. Podziemski shot 1-of-6 after halftime and was a -23 in 20 second-half minutes. Spencer, who’d been solid in recent games, couldn’t get going either, finishing with five points and two assists in 12 second-half minutes.
Meanwhile, the Warriors let a 16-point third-quarter lead slip away and got outscored 63-46 in the second half, eventually falling 126-113 in their final game before the All-Star break.
What Comes Next?
With Steph Curry and Kristaps Porzingis expected to return after the break, Steve Kerr will have some decisions to make. The emergence of Pat Spencer and Gui Santos has added more competition to the rotation, and minutes will be at a premium.
But if there’s one thing Payton has shown - not just this week, but throughout his career - it’s that when he’s on the floor, good things tend to happen. He doesn’t need the spotlight or the stat line.
He just needs a role. And right now, he’s making a strong case that he deserves one.
In a season where the Warriors are still searching for consistency, Gary Payton II might just be the steadying force they didn’t know they needed - again.