2021-22 NBA Champion Re-Signs with the Warriors

Former NBA champion Gary Payton II has officially re-signed with the Golden State Warriors. The 31-year-old point guard is being brought in to help the Warriors defend better. When healthy Payton II is one of the most impactful defensive guards in the league, showing time and time again that he could lockdown the opposing team's best perimeter threat.

 Payton II missed 38 games during the 2023-24 season. On top of that, he missed the play-in tournament game against the Sacramento Kings, arguably the most important game of the Golden State Warriors season.  These past two seasons combined Payton II has played a combined 66 games, which isn’t enough when a player is making as much as he was. In games that Payton II played, the Warriors were 27-17 giving them a 61.36-win percentage. If Payton II can stay on the court this signing will prove to be huge for the Warriors.

Since his debut during the 2016-17 NBA season, Payton II has become one of the most valuable role players in the league. He only averaged 5.5 points per game while shooting 56% from the field but his impact on the offensive end isn’t what teams know him for. According to Crafted NBA, He ranked 39th in overall defense. Having a top 40 defender in the NBA is important for any team with championship aspirations.