The Golden State Warriors have been taking care of their own this offseason, and that continued over the weekend. 

After already re-signing Kristaps Porzingis, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and De'Anthony Melton, the Warriors have now re-signed Gary Payton II to a one-year, $3.9 million deal to return to the team. 

He's spent the last four seasons with the Warriors, and outside of 15 games with the Blazers in 2022-23, he's been with the team every season since 2020. 

He was part of the championship team in 2022 and is a key veteran and rotation player, taking minutes behind and next to Steph Curry. 

The Warriors have tried to make big offseason moves, attempting to sign LeBron James as a free agent. Despite a heavy pursuit of the four-time champion, he opted to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. They were also reportedly talking to the Boston Celtics about Jaylen Brown, who was ultimately traded to the 76ers. 

While they have re-signed Porzingis, Green, Horford, Melton, and now Payton, they did lose Quentin Post to an offer sheet via the Memphis Grizzlies. 

With Payton back in the fold, the Warriors will have consistency from last season, which helps, but it's also a team that finished tenth in the regular season and lost in the second play-in game to the Phoenix Suns. 

After battling injury issues from 2022 to 2024, Payton played in 62 games in 2024-25 and 73 games last season. 

He averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 58% from the field and 29% from three, but taking fewer than two attempts per game. 

Payton was an affordable option for the team, which is close to operating into the second apron. He knows the system and the personalities of the star players and is well-liked by Steph Curry. 

On the court, Payton is viewed as an impactful defender who can offer some inside scoring, but the advanced numbers aren't quite as kind. The Warriors were a better team with him off the floor than on the floor last season. 

Curry has elevated many players throughout his career, but when he and Payton were on the court together, the Warriors had a -2.8 net rating. When Payton and Draymond were on the floor together, they were a -3.3. 

Curry, Draymond, and Payton as a trio did have a +0.4 net rating, but that's barely an advantage. 

Though Payton does provide value and keeping team chemistry strong is never a bad thing, his on-court play isn't what it used to be.