Payton open to redoing deal; Paul might be on his way out
SAN FRANCISCO >> Gary Payton II, the oft-injured defensive specialist, expressed an interest in ripping up his current agreement with his employer and starting fresh with a newer, longer deal.
In his preferred posture — sitting on, not at the podium — Payton said he sees himself as a big part of the Warriors' mix next year at his postmortem exit interview.
“I hope so, yeah,” Payton said. “I would love to come back and run it back. Better yet, just redo my whole deal and stay here for a little bit longer. We'll figure it out.”
Payton has a $9.1 million player option that anyone in his position would be happy to exercise. But there's a possibility a longer term deal could give him more financial stability and be a relief for an organization trying to dip under the luxury tax.
Payton played just 44 of 83 possible games this year. He dealt with a pair of calf injuries, a hamstring strain and various other illnesses and ailments. He's managed to be available for 66 of 124 total games since Golden State re-acquired him at last year's trade deadline.
“It was a rocky season,” Payton said. “It's been that way for the last two seasons. Just go back to the drawing board this summer, tighten it, tune it a little bit tighter, and just kind of more bulletproof my body, take some different routes and just try to get it stronger, better, last longer.”
A player on a $9.1 million expiring contract is typically the type that can get moved in a trade. But if he's amenable to extending, the Warriors might be able to lock him up on a cheaper deal that gives him more security — something along the lines of three-years for $12 million, for example.
Either way, Payton, 31, seems determined to be in the mix with the Warriors next year.
“Yeah, we're going to figure it out,” Payton said. “If we can redo it and get it done, that would be great. But right now this moment, take some time and let this ease out. But definitely for sure figure it out. For sure.”
PAUL DEPARTING? >> Chris Paul intends to continue his storied, 19-year NBA career. And it's quite possible his one season with the Warriors sticks out as an outlier mercenary season on his Basketball Reference page.
But that doesn't mean he didn't enjoy his time with the Warriors. He relished the opportunity to grow close with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. He enjoyed being close to his family in Los Angeles and appreciated the Warriors organization allowing him to spend extra time with them.
“It was a unique experience,” Paul said. “I'm glad I got an opportunity to play with the guys that I did, get a chance to meet new people, play for an organization I never would have imagined I'd play for. But I'm grateful for the experience.
For the first time in 14 years, Paul missed the playoffs.
“A little bit of a longer break than usual, but it is what it is,” Paul said.
Paul said he's open to a Warriors return for next year, but even Steve Kerr admitted that the Warriors aren't the best roster fit for
Paul. Paul still believes he's a starting-caliber point guard. The Warriors can only really use him as Steph Curry's backup. It's tough for Golden State to play him, Curry and Klay Thompson together.
After managing Paul's minutes throughout the season to keep him fresh, the Warriors only played him 18 minutes in their door-die game in Sacramento.
Paul turns 39 this May. His $30 million contract for next year is non-guaranteed,
meaning the Warriors can either let him walk for luxury tax relief, re-sign him at that number, extend him, trade him. There are lots of avenues for the club to pursue.
Letting Paul become a free agent is probably the most likely scenario. Then Paul's next season will depend on what he prioritizes. He'll likely want to be close to his family, a bigger role and a chance to compete for the Larry O'Brien Trophy that has eluded him.