Gary Payton II is one of the best success stories in the NBA in recent times. At this time last year, he was fighting for a roster spot with the Golden State Warriors, and he even got cut before the start of last season, but the team resigned him once he cleared waivers, and what a decision that turned out to be.
It proved to be a masterstroke as Payton had a breakout season in 2021-22, and he was a key role player for the Warriors as they went on to win the title. Following that triumph, Payton was a free agent this offseason, and after his excellent play, he was suddenly a sought-after commodity in the free agent market. He had quite a few options to choose from, and Payton opted to sign with the Blazers on a 3-year, $28 million contract. He may have just been a role player for Golden State, but the decision to let him go stung several people within the organization as they had failed to retain one of their own.
Gary Payton II Reveals Why He Left The Golden State Warriors
Payton hadn’t said much about exactly why he made the decision to leave the Warriors, with many assuming it was the monetary aspect, and during an episode of the “Truth and Basketball” podcast, he revealed that money was indeed the reason.
(starts at 5:05 mark):
“For the money. I had to take the money. I had to take the money, coach. It didn’t work out, I would’ve loved to go back to Golden State. But, it just didn’t work out. Just the timing and everything, it’s just a business deal. So, I just had to take the money.”
You can never blame anyone in his position for taking the money, and Payton will also get a bigger role with the Blazers than he would have gotten this season with the Warriors. It was an ideal situation for him to go to, as he fulfills a big need for the Blazers, who have needed a defensive presence in their backcourt for a long time now.
To go with the addition of Payton, the Blazers also traded for Jerami Grant this offseason, and the two of them now join a core that includes Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, and Jusuf Nurkic. The Blazers look poised for a bounce-back campaign, and they will be a proper headache to deal with for the big boys in the Western Conference.
