The Golden State Warriors have yet to introduce the newly acquired guard Gary Payton II after making a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers late on deadline day.
On Friday, reports surfaced that Golden State’s trade that included James Wiseman, the Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks and the Detroit Pistons could be at risk.
According to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Payton II failed his physical with the Warriors and the four-team trade is in “serious jeopardy.” An exam with the Warriors revealed Payton II has a lingering core muscle injury that could rule him out for up to three months, per Charania and Slater.
Via @ShamsCharania on Twitter:
Just in: A failed physical exam of Gary Payton II has placed the Golden State-Portland-Detroit-Atlanta four-team deal in serious jeopardy, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. Payton's core muscle injury could sideline him for up to three months following a Warriors exam.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 11, 2023
Following the failed physical, the Warriors will have until Saturday to rescind the trade, per Charania and Slater.
Via @ShamsCharania on Twitter:
The Warriors have until Saturday to go through with the trade — or have the entire four-team deal be rescinded, sources said. Golden State re-acquired Payton at the trade deadline on Thursday. https://t.co/ewWalgLFNl
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 11, 2023
Prior to joining the Trail Blazers, Payton became a fan favorite over a two-year run with the Warriors. During his time with the Warriors, Payton II averaged 6.5 points on 62.2% shooting from the field with 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.5 minutes per game.
Payton II missed the start of the 2022-23 season with the Trail Blazers due to the same core muscle injury. In 15 games with Portland and is averaging 4.1 points on 58.5% shooting from the floor with 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 17 minutes per contest.
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