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Golden State Warriors choose not to pursue controversial issue

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 controversy behind the Golden State Warriors’ re-acquisition of Gary Payton II has officially ended, with the defending champions choosing not to pursue further action according to TNT’s Chris Haynes.

The Warriors were part of a four-team deal at last month’s trade deadline, with the Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons also involved. Golden State moved on from former number two overall pick James Wiseman, bringing back Payton after he left for the Trail Blazers in free agency.

Gary Payton II will return for the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, and it appears the franchise is happy to move on from the controversial trade.

The trade deadline passed and the deal had appeared to go through, however, Payton then failed his medical examination to put the trade in jeopardy. The Trail Blazers had failed to notify the Warriors of Payton’s injury, with the 30-year-old having played against Golden State the night before the trade on February 8.

Gary Payton II guarding Klay Thompson in his game for the Portland Trail Blazers before a move back to the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Gary Payton II guarding Klay Thompson in his game for the Portland Trail Blazers before a move back to the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

Payton missed a significant chunk of the early part of the season, before returning to play 15 games during his short time in Portland. Adding to the controversy of not notifying the Warriors of his injury, the Trail Blazers faced backlash with reports they had asked the defensive star to play through pain and with the aid of pain-killing medication.

Golden State had the opportunity to void the deal, but with the awkward prospect of returning all involved players to their original team, chose to complete the trade while retaining their right to take the matter further. Over six weeks on and they’ve decided to move on from the issue, with the news coming on the same day it was announced Payton would make his return for the Warriors against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

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The prospect of Portland facing a fine and possible loss of drafts picks is now over, but so too is there playoff chances after a disastrous last month which has seen them fall out of the play-in mix. Meanwhile, Payton returns to a Golden State team that’s found some momentum on their way towards another anticipated postseason run.

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