Breaking: Failed Physical Puts Warriors' 4-Team Trade In Jeopardy

In a stunning development, the 4-team deal that landed defensive dynamo Gary Payton II back with the Golden State Warriors on Thursday is now in jeopardy, as Payton has failed the physical due to a core muscle injury.

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

NBA Insider Shams Charania reports that the injury could keep Payton out for up to three months. 

The Warriors have until Saturday to confirm or decline the trade. 

If the ATL-DET-GSW-POR trade is undone, the following players return to:

James Wiseman - GSW

Saddiq Bey - DET
Kevin Knox - DET

Gary Payton II - POR

Atlanta did not trade a player in this deal.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) February 11, 2023

If the deal does fall through, the Detroit Pistons would lose James Wiseman, who would return to the Warriors, Saddiq Bey and Kevin Knox would go back to Detroit, and Payton II would return to the Trail Blazers — where word has already come out that he was not happy in Portland. 

The former No. 2 pick Wiseman would go back to San Francisco knowing that his team gave up on him, and same goes for Bey and the Pistons.

This could be extremely awkward on so many fronts.

 Photo: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports