According to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has decided to opt in to his $9.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season. Andrews notes that this opens up the possibility of the two sides agreeing to a contract extension this summer.
Gary Payton II has opted-in to his $9.1 million player option for next season, sources tell ESPN.
By opting-in, Payton II now has the flexibility to extend with the Warriors this offseason.
Payton spent two seasons in Golden State from 2020-to-2022 before signing with the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2022 offseason. During that time, Payton played a big role in the team’s championship win in 2022.
After 15 games in Portland, the Warriors re-acquired Payton in a four-team trade. Since re-joining the team, he has remained a solid backup guard. Last season, Payton averaged 5.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.
Following the end of the 2023-24 season, Payton expressed his desire to remain with the Warriors.
“I would love to come back and run it back. Better yet, just redo my whole deal and stay here for a little bit longer. We’ll figure it out.”
Golden State Warriors Guard Decides on Player Option
Gary Payton II is Just One Priority for the Golden State Warriors
Retaining Payton and potentially keeping him around for the long haul is a big move for the Warriors. However, there are still many other priorities the team must work towards this summer. The biggest is regarding free agent Klay Thompson. After 13 seasons in Golden State, the four-time champion will hit unrestricted free agency this summer. Currently, it remains unclear if Thompson will re-sign. However, it appears a departure is in the books for Thompson. Recently, The Athletic’s Shams Charania said that Thompson “is open to all external options in free agency.” This indicates that Thompson will likely test the free agency market, where he is expected to be a hot commodity.
In addition to Thompson, the Warriors may be without wing Andrew Wiggins next season. Wiggins, who also won a championship with the Warriors in 2022, will likely be a trade candidate this summer. According to Logan Murdock of The Ringer, there is a belief around the NBA that “Wiggins will be included in trade talks this summer.”
“League sources believe Andrew Wiggins will be included in trade talks this summer as the Warriors look to improve their roster.”
The team must also decide on veteran point guard Chris Paul, who could be on his way out after one season with the team.
The Last Word and Gary Payton II
After a disappointing season, the Warriors will likely have a busy offseason ahead of them. Last season, the Warriors finished with a 46-36 record. Despite this being a two-win improvement from the season prior, the Warriors ended as the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs. Although it will not move the needle, Payton opting in a step in the right direction. It will be interesting to see where the Warriors go from here in hopes of returning to their dynasty days.
