A $659K contract guarantee kicks in Wednesday for Gary Payton II, which may affect the Warriors‘ decision to keep him on the roster, writes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. There’s an expectation that Golden State will release Payton with the hope of re-signing him if he clears waivers, Slater adds. That would give him a chance to win a roster spot in camp on a non-guaranteed deal.
Payton finished last season with the Warriors, appearing in 10 games after signing a pair of 10-day contracts in April. Slater points out that the team could use a defensive specialist like Payton to make up for the losses of Kelly Oubre and Kent Bazemore.
Golden State’s roster will be nearly set heading into camp, Slater notes. Thirteen players have guaranteed contracts and a large part of Damion Lee‘s deal will become guaranteed if he remains with the team through August 15, which is expected. Payton may wind up competing for the final roster spot with Mychal Mulder, whose contract is non-guaranteed. A source told Slater that the Warriors are “still monitoring” the free agent market in hopes of adding another veteran.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Former NBA center Hilton Armstrong has joined the Warriors‘ coaching staff, Slater adds. He will work in the video department and has been involved with the Summer League team in Sacramento and Las Vegas.
- Suns guard Chris Paul should be healed in plenty of time for training camp after having surgery on his left wrist after the NBA Finals, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. “For Chris, it was something minor,” general manager James Jones said in an ESPN interview. “He’ll be ready in a couple of weeks to get back out on the court with these guys as we start to try to get back after this short offseason.”
- Carmelo Anthony is thrilled to finally team up with his long-time friend LeBron James on the Lakers, per Mark Medina of USA Today. They have both been in the league for 18 years, but are teammates for the first time after Anthony agreed to a one-year contract with L.A. “Most people would say you should’ve gotten together years ago or earlier in our careers. But we were in two different lanes,” Anthony said. “We were in two different paths. Everything comes full circle.”
Are the warriors really not going to use their MLE?
Why?
Who would you like them to use it on? Which player specifically?
LBJ never wanted Melo on his team and if he had it his way CP3 would be a Laker. LBJ acting out of desperation trying to get one one championship. I think Lakers should trade AD for Dame.
What in tarnation?
you’re maddening. Melo is just another piece of the puzzle. LBJ isn’t counting on Melo being the difference maker.
Gary- I just assumed they would have used it on day 2 of free agency- Wasn’t trying to be inflammatory
*Idk if the plan was to never use it-
*They planned to but got shut-out-
*Or they still plan to use it in some regards(tho options barren almost to date)
I don’t, as Wally thinks, think money or tax plays any role in Lacobs mind ; but I could be wrong there-
Just surprised is all, it’s a pretty big chip to play…
Ida thunk trying to get Schroeder on it coulda been a good play- He may be extra incentivized to beat LA as well and have a good year to try and crack free agency again next year – Ofc he just signed for that amount to Bos…. Can still give a portion or all to Paul Millsap or something but I posted under this article as it seems roster spots are drying up quickkkkk!
No me neither Cap& Crunch. We’re on the same page not trying to be inflammatory. But I thought if you have someone in mind let me ask who you’re thinking of because I can’t think of a guy right now to use that money on.
But I guess that’s why I’m sitting at home and Bob Myers is grinding away. Good stuff bro, I always respect your posts.
I can’t No….Just confused a little bit here
I thought Dennis would have been a cool add considering he could more than handle b/u duties for Steph and probably even carry the load on a (easy win) night when Steph sits a game
Milsap would be a nice add to any team right now – Might not be worth full 5.9 but I never viewed LaCob to ever count pennies
Good stuff capncrunch. I think Schroder has a little locker room or attitude issue that is not conducive to the Warriors Way of going about things. He may be a little abrasive or even unreachable concerning different team Concepts. Just a guess, he could be perfectly fine and I wish him the best with the Celtics. Perhaps he went to Boston for playing time he would not receive with the Warriors if they did by chance reach out to him.
My opinion on Millsap is I think he’s a backup, backup 4 at this point and with the guys they have on the team I think their need is not at the reserve 4/5. Millsap is only 6-7 remember so a big man would have to be a rim protector if they go after one.
I think a greater need is a speedy guard. Maybe the new guy on the two-way contract could fill that? The new guy being the small guard we picked up a day or 2 ago?
Very good point indeed – Dennis would not fit that culture Imo and probably nets more {potential} minutes in Bos w a ceiling to actually excel-
He’d be treated as a straight mercenary in GSW
Because they are already looking at a $173M luxury tax bill next summer and using their MLE will push it that much closer to $200M? Just a guess.
Rent free.
I’m living in your head rent free? That’s too bad.
He provided a good explanation. Not sure why you’re trolling him.
I guess if they wait past the mid-way point they can trade or pick up a $11.2 million dollar player type versus a $5.6. I also think there are 2 or 3 players left that might squeeze into it, but I doubt the Warriors will get them.
Yea Totoiv…I guess my wonder is – Do they use all or some of it on a player like Millsap before the season – Think they have only 1 spot open tho right now so splitting it up doesn’t seem like an option
There’s no one left to use it on. Everyone left will take the minimum.
I wouldn’t mind Payton as the 3rd PG. It would be nice if they could add another vet for the backup pg role and maybe add another 5 in the mold of a zaza/bogut.
If they decide to keep Damoin Lee then that leaves one spot available for either a backup PG or center. They also have a 2-way spot available which would be much cheaper and wouldn’t add to their luxury tax bill.
Have you seen the Warriors payroll? I don’t think they give a rip about the luxury-tax bill.
Gary, this is Wally Wood with his daily concern for Joe Lacob and his tax bill. Pay him no mind, he just wants a reaction.
His only excitement as a Rockets fan is to hate on other, better ran organizations like the Lakers and Warriors
Ben Simmons for Andrew Wiggins plus a pick coming soon….
Too bad GPII isn’t 6’6-6’7. He would be a SF starter and $10m+ player easily. But I guess a majority of player’s heights would affect their career. i.e., if Sexton was 6’5 he would get his max contract.
Gary Payton can’t shoot so it doesn’t matter if he’s 6-2 or 6-9.
We cant have too many of players like Lee, Moulder, Payton, Chiozza, Mannion. Who’s the best on this list? Any of them can be the next Livingston? W’s need to continue to strengthen the bench.
I thought dubs only have 12 guaranteed contracts:
PG Curry Poole
SG Moody Thompson
SF Wiggins Porter Jr.
PF Green Toscano-Anderson Kuminga
C Looney Bjelica Wiseman
Who am I missing?
Iguodala signing isn’t official yet, but he’ll be 13.
Ah, thank you!
All three Porter Juniors
I believe that would be “Porters Junior”
Chris Paul’s injury didn’t seem minor in the finals