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Biggest sign yet that Golden State Warriors will complete Payton-Wiseman trade

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors talks with media during a press conference after the 104-94 win against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors talks with media during a press conference after the 104-94 win against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors have until 6:30pm (PT) to decide whether or not they wish to proceed with the four-team trade between themselves, the Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks.

The deal went down in the final hours of Thursday’s trade deadline, but the Warriors’ subsequent assessment of Gary Payton II found he could miss up to three months with an ongoing abdominal injury he had surgery on in the offseason.

The presence of Gary Payton II on the Golden State Warriors bench gives the best indication that they’ll complete the trade on Sunday.

Warriors’ management have yet to publicly discuss the trade, though it’s clear the franchise is on the verge of proceeding with the move. A video of Payton in the training facility emerged on Friday, and he was then seen sitting on the bench in team clothes during Golden State’s 109-103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

The Warriors are handcuffed by the fact no terms of the trade can be amended past the deadline, as confirmed by ESPN’s Bobby Marks. There was speculation the reigning champions may be able to get some of the second-round picks back they originally got from the Atlanta Hawks, however, Golden State are now simply in a ‘take it or leave it’ situation. The league could still take the matter further, but Marks believes that will be a timely process.

"“The NBA sent each team a memo last week stating that all medical information must be disclosed at the time of the trade. The league can certainly lodge an investigation on behalf of Golden St. but that could take weeks/months, not likely 24 hours.”"

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Complicating matters is Chris Haynes’ latest report which includes a statement from Payton’s agent reading –“despite of what’s being reported, my client never took Toradol shots to be available for games during his time in Portland.”

The entire scenario has been a mess and will likely play out for a while longer, but in terms of the trade itself, expect Payton to officially be a Warrior again by the end of the day.

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