Gary Payton II has decided to opt-in for the final year of his contract with the Golden State Warriors, as reported by ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. The deadline for Payton to make a decision on his $9.1 million player option was Wednesday, and he will also have the opportunity to sign an extension with the Warriors this summer.
Despite dealing with a series of muscle injuries that kept him out of action for extended periods during the 2020-21 season, Payton made a significant impact on the team’s success and helped them win their fourth championship in the Steph Curry era.
After signing a three-year, $28 million deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, Payton suffered a core muscle injury that required surgery and appeared in just 15 games before being traded back to the Warriors at the deadline in 2023. His absence last season contributed to the Warriors’ defensive struggles, as they ended up with a middle-of-the-pack defensive rating and missed the playoffs.
Payton’s decision to pick up the final year of his contract with the Warriors secures his salary for next season and provides speculation about possible contract extension beyond next season as there are indications that the team is confident in him.
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