Veteran guard Gary Payton II will miss at least four games after sustaining a “mild” left calf strain in Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers, the Warriors announced (via Twitter). Payton underwent an MRI on Thursday which confirmed the injury. He’ll be reevaluated in a week.
Known for his strong defense, Payton has appeared in 28 games this season, averaging 4.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 13.1 minutes per contest. He has converted an impressive 71.6% of his two-point attempts, but has struggled with his outside shot thus far in ’24/25, going just 5-of-32 from three point range (15.6%).
Payton, 32, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. He’s also eligible for a veteran extension through June 30.
Here’s more on the Warriors, who are currently 15-14, the No. 10 seed in the West:
- Golden State has a back-to-back on Friday (at the Clippers) and Saturday (vs. Phoenix). Two-time MVP Stephen Curry will miss Friday’s contest to manage bilateral knee pain, as Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN relays. Draymond Green (left lower back contusion) is questionable for Friday’s game.
- Curry was at his best on Christmas Day, nearly giving the Warriors a comeback victory by recording 38 points — including a couple of clutch three-pointers late — and six assists. However, after he tied the game with a 31-foot three, Austin Reaves made a game-winning layup, sealing a Lakers victory. The Warriors need more performances like that from Curry to have a shot at another deep playoff run, but they also risk running him into the ground if they don’t get him more help on the trade market, according to Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic.
- In case you missed it, the Warriors had a player-led meeting prior to Wednesday’s game, with Curry being especially vocal. Read more details here.
Time for the warriors to cut GP2 loose at the end of the season. He continues to get hurt when they need him the most.
They’ll need his salary at the trade deadline. That’s the good news.
He simply hasnt lived up to his 3 yr $27m contract. We all know he can play, but it doesnt do any good if you are not available. Back to 1 yr min contract going forward for GP2.
GP2 has literally been injured his entire career except 2021-22, and is now 32. Old players who get hurt all the time quickly become useless. GP2 is dead weight on an expiring deal. Like Melton/Beekman+pick for Dennis, GP2 should be flipped with a 2nd rounder ASAP for anyone healthy ASAP.
payton is nothing more than trade fodder at this point with his expiring contract. guy’s a bum and wouldn’t even be in the NBA if it weren’t for his surname.
He can play defense but can’t shoot a 3 anymore. He spends more time injured than games played.
that’s debatable, he fouls too much for an elite defender.
Notice how teams no longer guard Payton at the 3 pt line and want him to shoot 3s now. Wide open and still misses.
oh I’ve noticed.
He USED to play defense, he can’t now. And he makes Steve think he is a 3 or 4, when he is 1/2. He came into the league a PG but is now used a defense-first SG. I am so glad he is injured, more time for Moody.
It’s amazing how half a season and an incredible fit with a certain team can finally get you paid at 30 years old. But a couple changes happen and the magic disappears.
well portland GM is rather dumb
Yeah, I think he figured Damian Lillard and Payton would be similar to the dynamic of Steph Curry and Payton.
3 worst GMs in the West
Kings
Warriors
Blazers
Why?
When you have problems you solve problems asap but they don’t
You’re wrong about Dunleavy. I think he’s done a great job. it’s not an easy thing to put a roster together with a team near the tax line in make them competitive . Plus, I think he’s made a couple good trades to help the team in the short term and long-term.
Dunleavy has done a good job with what he was given. His only fault is not getting a big man. CBA is what hurt the warriors just like the Nuggets.
GP2…..tons of talent…potato chip body
Oh really? Please tell me what his talent is aside from the gifts he’s been given from God.
What part of his game do you see that he has worked on to improve and become an NBA player? Ball handling? Scoring or driving to the hole for layups? Mid range jumpshot or excellent three-point shot?
I’ll give you that he can work on defense and become a good defensive player and that can be a “talent,” but I’m not seeing anything else in his game that I would count as a talent.
indeed, 1 dimensional and that’s arguably a stretch
GP2 is the perfect example of a nepo baby.
Nepo babies in every field are either overrated/overpaid or the very best at what they do. No in between.
As a tormented Bulls fan who heard his team gave up a 50 spot against ATL yesterday in the 4th and blew a 17 point lead (Thanks Jerry!). I would gladly accept GP2 on my team. We have no serious defensive identity. GP2 atleast would bring some toughness and leadership on defense. We have a cupcake defense and EVERYONE in the association knows this.
He was NOT available down the stretch the last two years. So how is that helping the team??
You have a better idea than giving up 50 spot against ATL who were down 14 with 5 mins left yesterday? Lol at this point I will try anything since nobody wants to defend on my team.
tell me you don’t watch GP2 play without telling me
Well considering I can’t even watch my own team because our owner went stupid, I haven’t been able to watch other teams as well. So yeah.
I feel ya raz, the warrior ship is also sinking fast and before our very eyes. It’s funny how we were caught up in the fool‘s gold of a 10-2 start or whatever it was.
They need to rework this roster and do it now or else burning another year of Curry and his majesty will leave a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth.
Gary, I honestly think the only way they get better and compete in an incredibly tough Western Conference this year is if they get KD. I know I posted it yesterday but it got shot down by alot of GSW fans. How about Zion? I know he’s always been in terrible condition plays 20 games a year but maybe playing next to Steph and Draymond might bring back his love for the game? NOLA does seem interested in trading him more than previous years. Wiggins and Kuminga and Podz for Zion and a pick perhaps?
Wiggins is too important to the Warriors right now to include him in a trade.
I think the most logical deals are for $15-25M players. Curry, Schroeder, Wiggins and Draymond all fit well together and should be kept. But they need to acquire a guy who is almost an All-Star and underpaid – tough task.
Packaging Kuminga and GP2 + Kyle Anderson or Looney and 1-2 first-round picks for Myles Turner or Cam Johnson would make sense to me. Turner probably isn’t available since the Pacers want to win but he is a pending FA who will get paid and Pacers are already have two max guys committed long term.
I agree with you for the most part Jacob but we’re still sort of waiting for the Dennis Schroder fit to work out. It’s taking a little bit so we’ll see how this folds into itself by the trading deadline.
You got to hand it to GPII. He turned what was basically the end of his career into a ring and $30 million. Not bad for a guy who struggled his whole career.
Yea, and he also cost Warriors Wiseman too.
Payton bailed the Warriors out with James Wiseman. The only way to get anything of substance back for James was a bad contract and a familiar face lol.
Do we forget that Wiseman was up for renewal and that’s with zero profitable track record. You can see he’s bounced around a little bit and has yet to establish himself.
I feel bad for his injuries and thankful he’s getting opportunities here and there. I hope he can put it together after this latest Achilles deal.
But wow, the Warriors would’ve been behind a rock and a hard place with his third year and the contract coming up.
Not really. They could have just let him become a RFA. I doubt anyone would have offered him more than the minimum. He hasn’t had much time to develop.
No Gary, Wiseman’s rookie contract expired last year. Pistond decided not to renew it and Wiseman is now on min contract with Pacers while Warriors are still stuck with GP2 contract. GP2 was also a damaged good two yrs ago when we acquired him from Portland and didnt play. Looking back Warriors should have just kept 4 2nd rounders. Warriors did save $6m in luxury tax that year.
I wouldn’t consider them stuck with Payton‘s contract. The Pistons don’t care because they’re not concerned with luxury tax issues. They can let a guy make $10 million walk. The Warriors cannot they need that slot.
You can see how important it is with the DeAndre Melton Dennis Schroder trade. You don’t get Schroder Unless you have 12 million to send back. That’s why they gambled on Payton again for Wiseman. Or at least part of the reason.
I believe that’s how it works and perhaps why some moves are made instead of others
Nah. That was Jordan Poole’s fault. If he hadn’t sucked so bad after signing his new contract, the Warriors would never have had to trade for someone to stabilize the second team. They couldn’t keep having Draymond coming off the bench.
Like I said in off season. The warriors window is closed. When the FO realizes it, the faster they can move forward and try to build the next winning GS team.
And what do you propose they do? Their most valuable asset is also the biggest name in franchise history. Kinda hard to trade Curry.
They apparently do realize it. Rhetoric is one thing. Actions another. They haven’t done any win now /pay later moves to upgrade during Curry’s window.
Not much they can do when you lack assets and cap space to make a move.
Lack? Not completely. They have all their picks, expiring deals and some young talent.
That’s true DXC. These have been low risk one year type deals to prop up the team. But I think the timing today dictates they must make a win now pay for it later move. Absolutely. No more fooling around with marginal veterans.
@Gary – who do you think they could go after?
That’s the question I’ve been asking for two years. I’ve always cried that Wiggins isn’t good enough on the wing when the Warriors were playing well and a top seed. I wanted an improvement at that position.
Now that they’re struggling and big game hunting, I’m really not sure Who they could possibly attain.
As I mentioned a bunch of times it has to be a team with a great player that has fallen in the standings and not meeting expectations. Perhaps they would like to get out from under that star player contract?
I guess someone like Jeremi Grant if Portland ever decides to start over. But I don’t think they are too interested in playing for a championship to be honest. They seem content to be also-rans. They’ll go after a guy or two, then rely on the draft and call it a day. If they do well, they do well, but if they don’t meet expectations, no big deal.
So yeah I’m really not sure who that guy is. At the beginning of the year it was a Giannis type because Milwaukee was playing like crap and if that had continued, may be a guy like him would ask out? I’m not saying Giannis is that guy, but that type of situation if it would last until the trading deadline would be perfect.
But I don’t have an answer. I hope mystery man magically shows up somehow at the Warriors front door soon lol.
I think we can all agree that there is no savior out there. Why? Chemistry. Not enouhh time, it’s too late. :(
So just for the heck of it, let’s find someone low risk, low value, high return, and someone who knows Warriors ways and system. We can save the big trade for offseaon. The guy I am talking about has reduced turnovers drastically, shooting much more efficiently, amd will bring fire and energy. What do you guys say? :)
Michol that bridge has been burned to a crisp. No one is ever crossing over it again without being gobbled up by the crocodiles in the water. It would be a gruesome, slow, painful death.
True, but they didnt develop their young players and now have nothing to show for. How do you develop them? You play them and play them.
I don’t think unearned PT develops guys, other than negatively. But it’s possible that some time was diverted to vets too quickly.
The Warriors have to make one more Trade. Maybe they can nail it. Kuzma?
please explain how Kuzma moves the needle in any meaningful way.
Players I want this trade deadline, any of these will improve this team and send them back towards the top 4:
Cam Johnson
Nic Claxton
Nikola V
Jonas V
Harrison Barnes
Literally any wing who is better than Wiggins and/or Kuminga
Keep: Steph, Dray, Trayce, Moses. Put everyone else on the table.
Is Wiggins back for reall????
And can Kuminga/Wiggins coexist next few years?? And who is better? Crazy thing is Wiggins contract is going to be a bargain.
This answers will dictate Warriors next moves.
If warriors caved and gave Kuminga a max deal everyone would be complaining how he has not lived up to that deal.
he hasn’t earned a max deal, let alone the one the Dubs considered. Poor decision making, hasn’t improved his 3FG, doesn’t rebound, get steals or blocks.
Is cam johnson an upgrade over wiggs? Wouldn’t you be overpaying for his career year numbers this year? wiggs is having a career year in most metrics and has shown us what he can do in an NBA finals plus his contract is a bargain.
What does Valunciunas do? At least Vucevic shoots 3s.
Harrison Barnes is washed.
Kuminga’s bb IQ is severely questionable and imo will prevent him from ever becoming even an all-star caliber player.
the issue no one wants to talk about is Curry, he can no longer drive to the basket and put english on the ball and make miraculous layups. his scoring in -4pts a game from peak career avg and and 2FG% is under 50% now, yikes. Is he even top 25 player anymore?
This is worse than a soap opera here.
All the same people here crying. Are the same ones who didn’t want Wiggins. Same ones who wanted to sell out the future. For another chip. Which imo you were lucky to get, but got it. And now you’re crying over the very same things you wanted. Get a grip
For Context its just Davey J
No one in their right mind complains about getting a championship. 4 is a lot different than 3 in your pocket.
I take it all day, every day, whatever the cost. You win a ring and worry about next year, next year.
3 rings is great player territory. That 4th ring gives you an opportunity for number 5 which is elite company. No problem here.
Hey “Davey J”. I thought the Warriors were top 4 with the Schroeder trade. Now you want him traded as well along with half the team? I thought he saved the season for you? Hard to be eating your own words huh.