BREAKING: Warriors Make Decision On Future Of 4-Team Trade


After much consideration over the course of this weekend, which included filing an official complaint with the league offices, the Golden State Warriors have decided to allow their trade for injured Gary Payton II to become official.

The Warriors will still consider Payton's physical failed, but have agreed to put the deal through anyway, according to Shams Charania. A report over the weekend stated that Payton's core muscle injury could keep him out for another three months. 

The formal inquiry that's underway could still result in the Warriors receiving further compensation.

Payton II signed a 3-year, $26M contract with the Portland Trail Blazers this past summer, after being a key piece of the Warriors' run to the NBA title last season. The Blazers were hoping Payton's tenacity on D would help improve their perimeter defense.

But he suffered a core muscle injury that kept him out of the first two months of the season, and apparently wasn't yet fully healed. The Blazers claim they acted appropriately, both in bringing Payton back when they did at the beginning of January, and in trading him to Golden State last week. 

The trade, which is now official, also saw the Warriors send former No. 2 draft pick James Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons, while the Pistons sent  Saddiq Bey to the Atlanta Hawks and combo forward Kevin Knox to the Trail Blazers. They are all now free to play for their new teams.

Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports