It’s easy to look at a box score and miss the entire point of a player. Take Gary Payton II for example. If you’re just scanning for 20-point games or flashy triple-doubles, you’re going to walk away thinking he’s just another guy on the bench. You'd be wrong. Dead wrong. In a league obsessed with "three-and-D" wings who are basically just cardboard cutouts with a jump shot, Payton is a glitch in the matrix.
He’s 6’2” but plays like he’s 6’9”. He’s a guard who blocks centers. He’s the son of a Hall of Famer, but he spent years grinding in the G League just to get a ten-day contract.
Honestly, the way people talk about the Golden State Warriors usually starts and ends with Steph Curry. But if you ask Steve Kerr, or if you watch how the defense changes the second he checks in, you realize Payton is the glue. Or maybe the sandpaper. He makes everything uncomfortable for the other team.
The Weird Reality of Being Gary Payton II in 2026
The NBA is currently faster and more offensively explosive than it’s ever been. So, why does a guy who barely averages six points a game matter so much? Because Gary Payton II is arguably the best "point-of-attack" defender in basketball.
When he’s on the floor, he isn’t just guarding his man; he’s haunting them.
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He has this specific, twitchy way of navigating screens that makes it look like he’s sliding through a cracked door. Most players hit a screen and lose a step. Payton is already on the other side, poking the ball away before the ball-handler even realizes the play failed.
Why the Warriors Brought Him Back (Again)
Remember 2022? The championship run? Payton was a revelation. Then he left for Portland. It felt wrong. It looked wrong. Watching him in a Blazers jersey was like seeing a fish in a tree—he just didn't fit the ecosystem. When the Warriors traded to get him back in 2023, even with the whole abdominal injury drama, it was a signal.
The Warriors know they can't replicate what he does.
Fast forward to late 2025. There were rumors. People said the Warriors were too expensive, too old, too crowded with young talent like Brandin Podziemski. Some experts thought they’d let him walk in free agency to save some tax money.
Instead, Shams Charania dropped the news on September 28, 2025: Gary Payton II was staying put. He signed a veteran minimum deal to remain in the Bay. It wasn't about the money. It was about the fit.
Injuries, Grit, and the Left Ankle Sprain
The biggest knock on Payton—and let's be real here—is that he’s rarely 100% healthy. It’s the price you pay for playing with zero regard for your own skeleton.
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In early January 2026, we saw the cycle repeat. He tweaked his left ankle against the Clippers on January 5th. He had been on a tear, scoring in double figures for five straight games. Then, boom. Questionable. Out.
But look at what happened when he came back on January 9th against the Kings.
- Minutes played: 18
- Efficiency: 6-of-7 from the field
- Rebounds: 9 (led the whole team)
- Points: 12
That is the Gary Payton II experience in a nutshell. He misses a game, comes back, misses no shots, and somehow out-rebounds everyone despite being the shortest guy on the floor. It defies logic.
The Offensive Evolution
People used to say you could ignore him on offense. That's a dangerous game to play now. While he isn't a "shooter" in the traditional sense, he’s a master of the "dunker spot."
He hides in the baseline shadows. When Steph or Draymond Green draws two defenders, Payton vanishes and reappears at the rim for a lob. He’s shooting nearly 70% on his effective field goal percentage (eFG%) this season. That is massive. He doesn't take bad shots. He basically only takes layups, dunks, and the occasional corner three that he’s actually hitting at a respectable clip lately.
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What the Critics Get Wrong
The main criticism is usually about his size. "He can't guard big wings," they say.
Actually, he can.
Payton’s wingspan is roughly 6’8”. Combined with hands that are basically magnets for the leather on a basketball, he can bother anyone. He doesn't guard with his chest; he guards with his feet and his brain. He knows where the ball is going before the passer does.
There's also this idea that he’s "just a role player." While technically true, it’s a dismissive way to describe a guy who changes the win probability of a game the moment he steps on the hardwood.
The Numbers You Should Actually Care About
If you want to sound smart at the sports bar, stop looking at PPG.
Look at his Offensive Rebound Percentage. For a guard, it’s astronomical—over 8%. He’s crashing the glass against 7-footers and winning.
Look at the Defensive Impact. The Warriors' defensive rating often improves by several points when he’s active. It’s the "Pest Factor." You can't measure it perfectly, but you can feel it.
What's Next for GP2?
As we move through the 2026 season, Payton’s role is likely to remain steady. He won't play 30 minutes. His body probably couldn't handle that anyway. He’s going to give you 15 to 18 minutes of pure, high-octane chaos.
For the Warriors, he’s a safety net. When the young guys like Will Richard or Gui Santos are struggling with defensive rotations, Kerr pulls the "In Case of Emergency" lever and puts in #0.
Actionable Insights for Following His Season:
- Watch the Point of Attack: Next time the Warriors play, don't watch the ball. Watch Payton when he's guarding the primary ball-handler. Notice how he never lets them get comfortable.
- Check the Injury Reports: He's currently managing that left ankle. His value in fantasy is low because of minutes, but his value to the Warriors' money line is huge.
- The "Dunker Spot" Awareness: Watch how he positions himself when Steph Curry drives. He is the best in the NBA at finding the open window for a baseline cut.
He isn't his father. He’s something entirely different. "The Mitten" was a cool nickname, but Gary Payton II has carved out a legacy that belongs entirely to himself. It's a legacy of persistence, defense, and being exactly what a championship team needs, even when the rest of the world isn't looking.