The Golden State Warriors need to start locking in some of their roster spots. Their free agency has been widely disappointing. They haven’t signed a single new player and still don’t have a new Jonathan Kuminga contract in place.
There are a ton of different names that have been linked to the Warriors trade and free agency rumors. Of course, there is Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton. There have also been rumblings that they will re-sign veteran guard Gary Payton II.
Now, a recent piece of Warriors free agency news has come out about a potential Warriors-Gary Payton signing.
NBA reporter Brandon Robinson recently wrote about Stephen Curry’s opinion on whether the Warriors should bring back Gary Payton II.
“For Curry, Payton II represents more than just a roster piece. The 31-year-old guard embodies the grit and defensive identity that has often complemented Golden State’s free-flowing offense. His on-ball defense, knack for guarding multiple positions, and ability to create turnovers fueled the Warriors’ title run three years ago. On top of that, Payton’s cutting, finishing, and chemistry with Curry in the halfcourt gave Golden State a unique dimension on both ends.”
If Curry is fully on board with bringing back GP2, he probably will be a Warriors free agency signing by the end of the summer. The question is, is that a good idea?
At times, GP2 has indeed been a perfect cog in the Warriors’ system. The problem is, he has slowed down a bit over the last season or two. He was fairly healthy last season, which is a bonus, but he just isn’t able to play A+ defense anymore. He is a step slower and can no longer be relied on to guard the league’s best guards all game long.
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That’s why it may be time for the Warriors to find a new stopper. Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of elite defensive stoppers on the free agency market. They may be stuck with GP2 regardless of whether they want to go in a different direction. And if Curry is asking for him, can you say no to your franchise’s greatest star?
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