Before the Golden State Warriors meet the Washington Wizards at Chase Center on Friday, the team made an addition to the backcourt. On Thursday, the team announced the signing of guard Gary Payton II to a 10-day contract.
Payton II is coming off a 13 game run in the G League with the Raptors 905. During the G League’s Orlando Bubble campaign, Payton averaged 10.8 points on 55.5% shooting from the floor with 5.6 boards. 2.6 assists and 2.5 steals in 21.8 minutes per contest. The point guard was named the 2021 G League Defensive Player of the Year.
Via @warriors on Twitter:
The Warriors have signed guard Gary Payton II to a 10-day contract.
Payton II, 28, appeared in 13 games with Raptors 905 of the NBA G League this season, averaging 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.54 steals per game. pic.twitter.com/LBgGUNX0VM
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 8, 2021
After earning All-Pac 12 honors at Oregon State, Payton II went undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft. During his professional career, Payton II has bounced back and forth between the NBA and G League. The 28-year-old has spent time with the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards.
In 61 games in the NBA, Payton II is averaging 3.5 points on 25.6% shooting from the floor with 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 12.6 minutes per contest.
The Seattle native will battle with Jordan Poole, Nico Mannion and Mychal Mulder for minutes behind Steph Curry in Golden State’s rotation.
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