The Golden State Warriors' 2025 offseason was a turbulent one due in large part to their never-ending stand-off with then-restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, but the franchise still managed to make a few key additions.
One of Golden State's most important decisions this past summer was re-signing their gritty 2022 NBA champion guard Gary Payton II to a one-year, $3.3 million contract in an effort to surround their 4-time NBA champion Stephen Curry with terrific defensive help on the perimeter.
The Warriors' front office brought the 32-year-old two-way guard back with the impression that his physical tools would continue to match his IQ and intangibles.
Unfortunately, one NBA writer believes that Payton II has not lived up to expectations to this juncture, and that the Warriors' front office made a massive blunder by welcoming him back with open arms.
"The Golden State Warriors may have only played three preseason games to date, but it's already becoming clear that one of their offseason free agency moves might not have been the right decision," FanSided's Peter O'Keefe wrote Tuesday afternoon.
"Gary Payton II hasn't exactly set the world on fire to start proceedings, having looked much like the same player whose offensive limitations are no longer effectively balanced by his previous status as an elite perimeter defender."
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"With so much talent now around the league, the Warriors may have made a painful mistake by not looking at a higher upside option toward the end of their roster."
Through his first two contests for the Warriors this preseason, Payton II has contributed 5.5 points, 0.5 rebounds, 0.5 steals and has yet to record an assist while knocking down 71.4% of his looks from the floor and 50.0% of his chances from three-point range.
Sure, his numbers are not jumping off of the page, and his -11.5 plus-minus does not look pretty. Still, judging Payton II's future production in 2025-26 off of 25 total minutes of preseason burn might not be necessary.
Payton II's box score figures have always left a lot to be desired, but a huge chunk of the value that he brings as a team defender and screener cannot be quantified.
Age certainly will be a factor for the 9-year veteran from this point forward, especially for a player who relies on his athleticism as much as Payton II does, but a fair assessment of his production can wait until at least the beginning of the regular season.
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