New Trail Blazers guard Gary Payton II underwent a procedure this offseason to address a core muscle injury, the team announced today in a press release. According to the Blazers, the procedure – which was performed at The Vincera Institute in Philadelphia – took place in July.
Payton’s rehab is “progressing well,” the Blazers said in today’s announcement, adding that the 29-year-old is expected to be fully recovered by the start of the regular season. It’s unclear whether or not he’ll be able to participate fully in basketball activities and scrimmages when training camp begins this month.
After winning a title with the Warriors in 2021/22, Payton signed a three-year, $26.15MM deal with Portland this summer. He’s coming off the best season of his NBA career — he averaged 7.1 PPG in just 17.6 MPG and shot an impressive 61.6% from the floor in addition to handling the most challenging perimeter assignments on defense.
Payton won’t be the only Blazer returning this fall from a core muscle issue. Damian Lillard‘s 2021/22 season ended early after he had surgery to address a lingering abdominal injury and Nassir Little underwent a similar procedure in May.
As well as he did last yr, expect him to have a down year. It’s human nature, complacency will set in and he wont work as hard as before or mentally not as prepared. Additionally, it will take him awhile to fit into Blazers system and chemistry. Hope he ends up in Warrior uniform again few yrs later. :)
I don’t think complacency will be an issue with him. Depression over how much worse the Blazers are compared to GSW (where he was a perfect fit) might be.
Yeah humans are built different and he is different. He may have a down year because no one actually plays as hard as he does that good that long. So a slightly down year is still better than 85% of players.
Best wishes for a full recovery!
I know we couldn’t keep them all but out of everyone we lost hes the one I’ll miss the most. He gave Klay a breather and wore out opponents. I think him going home can’t be understated. I look at that Portland roster and wonder what their identity will be. And how GP2 fits in overall.