Gary Payton II eyes bounce-back NBA season after signing new Warriors contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
OAKLAND — Stepping away from an adoring crowd and hearing the question about his future, Gary Payton II’s grin stretched toward his earlobes before he replied.
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The versatile veteran is returning to Golden State Warriors — the place he calls home.
“It’s done,” Payton told NBC Sports Bay Area on Saturday at Fremont High School, where he joined former Golden State teammate Juan Toscano-Anderson in donating backpacks and other school supplies to local students.
“It’s already done.”
What’s done is a signature on a one-year contract worth $3.9 million for Payton to return to the franchise with which he has spent nearly 80 percent of his NBA career. Though he was an unrestricted free agent, technically on the open market, he had no desire to leave the place where he found basketball happiness.
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That explains the broad grin.
What the Warriors need is a bounce-back season from GP2.
There have been two primary factors behind Payton’s success as a Warrior. 1) He has mastered the art of playing with Stephen Curry; only Draymond Green has similar court chemistry with the franchise player. 2) Payton remains a valuable perimeter defender on one end, and a solid “dunker spot” specialist on the other.
Those attributes were crucial to Golden State’s last championship in 2022. Payton, 33, is now tasked with trying to make the same impact four years later.
“Let’s go get it,” Payton said. “We’ve said enough, man. Let’s go.”
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GP2’s priority on offense is to rediscover his 3-point shot. It has declined in each of the past three seasons, from 36.4 percent in 2023-24 to 32.6 in 2024-25 to a dismal 29.1 last season. When Payton’s corner threes are falling, it adds a much-needed dimension to the Warriors’ offense, and it’ll be a barometer for his playing time.
The other issue is Payton’s health. He played a career-high 73 games last season — his most since the 2021-22 title season — by avoiding the kind of nagging injuries that cost him 58 games over the previous two seasons.
“I’m (feeling) great,” he said. “Everything’s good. I’m ready to go. Last couple months before camp, so let’s wind it up and get ready. Let’s please stay healthy. Not just me, but all of us. We definitely need that.”
Because Payton is perhaps the most positionless player on the roster, his place on the depth chart is variable. He’ll slide between guard and forward, based on matchups. There will be games in which he might play eight minutes, and there will be other games when he might be on the floor for 28.
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The Warriors also made official the re-signing of guard De’Anthony Melton, who projects to join Curry in the starting backcourt.
So, yes, the Warriors continue to reassemble the roster that went 37-45 last season. The only significant addition is first-round draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg, who can expect considerable playing time at both forward spots.
“He showed some good things in summer league, coming off his last year from school and being able to flip the switch and turn it,” Payton said of the rookie. “He looks good. It’s going to be good to see him in training camp. Get a feel for him and see how he’s going to respond.”
That sentiment, for what it’s worth, applies to every man who suits up once the ball rolls out for camp on Sept. 29.
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