Gary Payton II opts into $9.1 million player option

The 31-year-old guard is returning for a fourth season with the Golden State Warriors

Warriors guard Gary Payton II has opted into his $9.1 million player option for next season, reports ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.

Payton II signed with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022 after winning the championship with the Warriors, before returning to Golden State at the 2022-23 trade deadline. A defensive powerhouse when healthy, the 31-year-old guard averaged 5.5 points, 1.1 assists, and 2.6 rebounds with the Warriors in the 2023-24 season. Payton II has been plagued by injury in recent seasons, only playing in 44 games in the 2023-24 regular season, however, he fills a crucial bench role for Golden State, and is quite consistent when healthy. In his championship run with the Warriors, Payton II averaged 7.1 points, 1.4 steals(!!!), and 3.5 rebounds per game. Hopefully, he can get back to these numbers, but either way, fans are looking forward to seeing him return for a fourth season in Golden State.

Regardless of playing time and ability, Payton II is a fantastic presence in the locker room and always full of energy. Warriors fans are excited to see him coming back, and have reacted online to news of his return with cries of “LET”S GOOOOO” and “W” in replies across social media.