At the end of the preseason, the Golden State Warriors waived a group of players, including Gary Payton II. During training camp, Payton II was in competition with players like Avery Bradley for Golden State’s final roster spot.
Prior to the start of the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors made a move to bring back the 28-year-old guard. On Tuesday, the Warriors signed Payton to a contract, filling the 15th and final spot on the roster.
Via @WarriorsPR on Twitter:
Warriors sign Gary Payton II: pic.twitter.com/KhTDpcuGKl
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) October 19, 2021
Payton II played in just one preseason game due to a hernia injury, scoring 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field with a rebound and a steal in only 13 minutes of action.
The Oregon State product joined Golden State for the final stretch of the regular season in 2020-21, playing in 10 games. During his late-season run, Payton II averaged 2.5 points on 76.9% shooting from the field in four minutes per contest.
Payton II will provide a consistent defensive-minded wing to Golden State’s thin backcourt to start the regular season.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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