Gary Payton II’s Time with the Warriors May Be Winding Down - But His Impact Still Echoes
Gary Payton II has always been one of those players whose value goes beyond the box score. His defense, hustle, and energy helped fuel the Golden State Warriors during their 2022 championship run, carving out a role that perfectly complemented the team’s stars. But here in the 2025-26 season, that role is shrinking - and fast.
Payton signed a one-year deal to return to the Bay this past offseason, but his minutes have taken a noticeable dip. He received his first DNP-CD (Did Not Play - Coach’s Decision) in years back in early November, and over the last six games, he’s played fewer than five minutes in half of them. For a player who once symbolized the gritty, defensive identity of the Warriors’ second unit, that’s a stark shift.
It’s not hard to see what’s happening. The Warriors are in win-now mode - not just because they always are, but because the clock is ticking on Stephen Curry’s legendary career.
Golden State is pushing all their chips in to make one more deep playoff run while their core still has gas in the tank. That’s why big-name trade rumors keep swirling.
That’s how they landed Jimmy Butler. And that’s why Steve Kerr, who’s never been shy about making tough decisions, is starting to phase out some of the veterans who helped build this dynasty.
Payton, it appears, is next on that list.
The Numbers Tell a Clear Story
Through the first 25 games of the season, Payton is averaging 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.6 steals in just over 12 minutes per game. He’s healthy, but his shooting has been a major issue - just 27.6% from beyond the arc.
That’s a tough number to work around on a team that relies heavily on spacing and ball movement. His minutes and production are both at their lowest since his first stint with Golden State back in 2021.
Advanced stats aren’t doing him any favors either. His VORP (Value Over Replacement Player) sits at 0.1 - essentially league-average. And for a team trying to claw its way into the top six of a stacked Western Conference, “average” just isn’t good enough right now.
The Fit Is Getting Harder to Justify
Payton’s game has always been defense-first. He’s never been a knockdown shooter, and his offensive limitations have always required careful lineup construction.
But at 33, the defensive edge that once masked those flaws isn’t quite as sharp. He can still bring energy and effort, but the burst that once made him a disruptive force on the perimeter is fading.
And when the margin for error is this thin, that matters.
The Warriors are dealing with injuries and an aging roster, and they desperately need youth, size, and athleticism to stay competitive. Payton used to check those boxes. Now, Kerr and the coaching staff are searching for other answers.
A Familiar Pattern in Golden State
We’ve seen this before. The Warriors have gradually moved on from several key contributors to their championship runs - from Andre Iguodala to Kevon Looney.
It’s the natural evolution of any great team. Payton isn’t the first to be phased out, and he won’t be the last.
But that doesn’t mean his story is any less special.
A Career Worth Celebrating
Let’s not forget where Payton came from. Undrafted.
Bounced around the league. Nearly took a job as a video coordinator before getting his shot with the Warriors.
He turned that opportunity into a championship ring and a place in Golden State lore. That kind of journey doesn’t come around often.
Even if his playing days in the Bay are coming to a close, his legacy is secure. He gave the Warriors exactly what they needed when they needed it most. And for fans who watched him fly around the court, lock down opposing guards, and spark fast breaks with pure hustle - those memories aren’t going anywhere.
So yes, the writing may be on the wall. But before the curtain falls, take a moment to appreciate what Gary Payton II brought to this team.
He might not be logging big minutes anymore, but his impact? That’s already etched into Warriors history.