Blazers, Gary Payton II finalizing three-year, $28M deal

Gary Payton II is leaving the champion Warriors for a big deal with the Trail Blazers. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Trail Blazers, Gary Payton II finalizing three-year, $28 million contract

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 7/1/22

The Portland Trail Blazers continue to be one of the busiest teams of the offseason and early stages of free agency.

Warriors were unwilling to meet that high of a price tag (and resulting tax spike) for Gary Payton II and have now lost their defensive ace off the bench to the Blazers. He led the NBA in steals per 36 minutes last season. https://t.co/iaY6xmUrG7
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 1, 2022

In the past two weeks alone, Portland has acquired Jerami Grant in a trade with the Detroit Pistons, signed Anfernee Simons to a four-year, $100 million contract extension and it's been rumored that they're "in pursuit" of Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby. It was also reported on Wednesday that the Trail Blazers were expected to offer superstar Damian Lillard a two-year contract extension exceeding $100 million.

Payton II set career highs in 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 17.6 minutes per game across 71 contests (16 starts) during the 2021-2022 regular season, while posting a .616/.358/.603 shooting line. He was limited to 12 games (two starts) during the Golden State Warriors' postseason run to the NBA title after suffering an elbow fracture during Game 2 of the team's Western Conference semifinal series against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Known for his defense and high-flying dunks, Payton II averaged 6.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals during the playoffs.

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