Golden State Warriors: Ranking 4 confirmed free agency targets

By Tony Pesta | Sep 7, 2022

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4. Elfird Payton

There is a vacancy in the Golden State Warriors backcourt now that Gary Payton II is gone.

The Dubs don’t need anyone to do anything spectacular at the backup point guard spot. Not with Stephen Curry leading the charge in the starting lineup and Jordan Poole firmly commanding the second unit.

But if we learned anything last season, it’s that this position is a valuable one. Payton truly made it his own as a defensive specialist who could fill his role to perfection.

I have doubts that Elfrid Payton could do the same.

Elfrid has struggled to score the ball efficiently for his entire career. He’s a dynamic playmaker but a limited shooter.

It’s possible he could attempt to replicate GP2’s defensive prowess but the bar is set higher than he can likely reach. Of the four options confirmed by Shams, Elfrid Payton is the weakest link.

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