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Calling for calm on Gary Payton II, plus Warriors’ potential replacements

By Peter O'Keefe

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MAY 01: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors dunks against Desmond Bane #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on May 01, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MAY 01: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors dunks against Desmond Bane #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on May 01, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Replacing Gary Payton II and his role on the Warriors

Golden State’s offseason moves to date have displayed the utmost confidence in their young players moving forward. In relation to replacing Payton, the Warriors’ 14th overall pick in last year’s draft, Moses Moody, is primed to take on greater responsibility.

The 20-year-old averaged 11.7 minutes across 52 regular season games last season. He then, in Payton’s absence, played a nice role in brief opportunities against the Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals.

With a mature game and a solid foundation, expect Moody’s minutes to double next season to around 20 per game. Sure, he won’t bring anywhere near the defensive impact of Payton, but at 6-foot-5 with a huge 7-foot-1 wingspan and good athleticism, Moody can be a good defender capable of switching one through four.

Offensively, Moody has a far greater upside in what he can provide. Initially, he’ll be asked to play a similar role to Payton as an off-ball cutter and catch-and-shoot player.

It’s why I’m not overly concerned with what he provides in Summer League, a competition where players often focus on their individual game in order to impress scouts and earn themselves an NBA contract. That kind of isolation game style doesn’t Moody’s 3-and-d game.

He shot 36.5% on catch-and-shoot threes last season. That’s less than Payton but was on far greater volume, taking 2.1 three-point attempts per game compared to Payton’s 1.7 (despite lower playing time).

Moody’s going to be a lot more willing to take the three-point opportunities, with much more growth potentially arising as his experience grows. For example, he could incorporate some pull-up threes into his game where he shot 40% last season.

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