Gary Payton II is a member of the Golden State Warriors once again. It’s taken over 72 hours since the trade deadline for that to become official, with the franchise ultimately choosing to move forward despite the 30-year-old’s failed physical.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Sunday that “the Warriors are clearing the way for the completion of the four-team trade.” The Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks are also involved in the deal.
A Golden State Warriors-Gary Payton II reunion also spells the end of James Wiseman’s injury-plagued career with the franchise.
The trade sees Payton head to the Warriors, James Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons, Saddiq Bey to the Hawks, and Kevin Knox to the Trail Blazers. None of the four players have debuted for their new team pending completion of the trade.
The Warriors’ assessment of Payton deemed his abdominal injury could have him out for three months, with a report from The Athletics’ Shams Charania putting into question Portland’s treatment of the 2022 NBA champion.
Given the trade deadline had passed on Thursday, the Warriors were unable to amend the trade that also saw Portland get five second-round picks from the Hawks. However, Wojnarowski reports that the situation is far from over with Golden State retaining the right to take matters further.
"“The Warriors spent the weekend discussing a way to proceed on the trade that still protected the franchise’s rights on what they believed to be the Blazers’ failure to adhere to NBA rules and provide complete medical information on a player prior to agreeing to a trade, sources said."
Payton was seen sitting next to Vice President of Basketball Operations Mike Dunleavy on the Warriors bench during their 109-103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Wiseman was expected to make his Piston debut against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday had the deal been completed in time, however that wasn’t to be the case.
While attention will remain on what comes of the NBA’s investigation into the matter, the more poignant issue is when we’ll see Payton back on the floor in a Warrior uniform. Despite the initial suggestion of three months, there’s optimism that he could return shortly before the conclusion of the regular season.