Major Golden State Warriors’ trade acquisition limited in Lakers matchup

When the Golden State Warriors moved James Wiseman for Gary Payton II at February’s trade deadline, they envisaged someone who would return as a critical and necessary part of their playoff rotation.

But like any role player, Payton’s usage come the postseason can vary depending on the matchup. After a more designated role in the Warriors’ first-round series against the Sacramento Kings, this current matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers is less clear-cut.

With his defensive prowess less valued, and his offensive deficiencies further exposed, Gary Payton II finds himself in a lesser role for the Golden State Warriors.

The Kings possessed two explosive guards, De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, who were largely the catalysts behind pushing the Warriors to a hard-fought seven-game series. As a result, Payton played an average of over 23 minutes in Games 1 and 2, before illness held him back in Game 3 and impacted the remainder of his series.

He still played over 16 minutes in Game 7 against the Kings, helping to limit Fox and Monk as Stephen Curry took over with a 50-point masterpiece to push Golden State past their younger California rival.

But now, rather than an offense orchestrated by guard play, the Warriors face a team led by superstar big Anthony Davis and freight train wing LeBron James. While D’Angelo Russell has proven a nice third foil for the Lakers so far, the size of their roster simply makes Payton’s strengths less valuable in this particular matchup.

The Laker defense, predicated on loading up and restricting Curry, is also exposing Payton’s weakness as a three-point shooter. He may have shot 50% from three during the regular season, but those numbers lie when the defense still holds little respect for your perimeter threat.

Payton is now 2-for-10 from three-point range so far in the playoffs, with both his makes coming in Game 2 against the Kings. His cutting and offball movement is still a strength of his game, but that too is less valued when Davis is seemingly always an imposing presence around the paint.

It’s difficult to see things changing over the remainder of the series, meaning Payton’s role will largely be for situational possessions where the Warriors are looking for a defensive stop. It’s not to say the trade to acquire Payton has been a worthless one, but rather it’s the reality for role players come the playoffs.