After a run to the 2022 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors had business to do in free agency to retain their roster championship roster. However, a key piece from their 2021-22 rotation appears to be leaving the Bay Area for the Pacific Northwest.
According to Shams Charania, free agent Gary Payton II is finalizing a three-year, $28 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Via @ShamsCharania on Twitter:
Free agent Gary Payton II is finalizing a three-year, $28 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022
After initially being waived after training camp, Payton II secured the Warriors’ final roster spot before the start of the 2021-22 season. Behind fierce defense and a flurry of highlight-reel dunks, Payton II put together a breakout campaign with the Warriors.
During the 2021-22 season, the 29-year-old guard averaged 7.1 points on 61.6% shooting from the field with 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 17.6 minutes per contest.
Following a wrist injury in the second round of the postseason, Payton II returned to the Warriors in the NBA Finals to play a key role against the Boston Celtics. In his first appearance in the finals, Payton II tallied 7.0 points on 59.1% shooting from the floor with 3.2 boards, 1.6 steals and 1.4 assists in 18.5 minutes per game.
After spending a season playing next to Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, Payton II will now have to guard the Splash Brothers while playing alongside Damian Lillard in Portland.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
