Peyton II claimed to have never felt safe.
Before the season began, the Warriors signed a partially guaranteed base salary contract with Payton Jr. to fill the team's last player roster. Peyton Jr. used his athleticism and ability on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends to enter coach Cole's regular rotation.
As the season progresses, Payton Jr.'s role in the Warriors becomes more and more important. Peyton Jr. has started all of his last seven games and scored in double figures in six of his games. With the Jan. 10 deadline approaching, the Warriors chose to regularize his contract.
Before the Warriors lost to the Pelicans, Kerr confirmed to the media that Peyton Jr.'s concerns could be dissipated and the Warriors decided they would keep him.
"I didn't feel safe for a moment," Little Payton said with a laugh. 'I don't know if I'm still worried, but I think the coach said it was accurate.'
In previous games, Peyton Jr. scored in eight consecutive double-figures, including a season-high 22 points against the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 23, and he also scored four points tonight against the Pelicans. He contributed a violent dunk in the third quarter and also beat 7-foot center Jonas Valanciunas on a jump.
In 2016, Payton Jr. left Oregon State university to participate in the NBA draft. However, the status of "ball second generation" did not help him, and he lost the election. Since then, Payton Jr. played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards in the 2016-20 season, playing 10 games for the Warriors last season.
Peyton Jr., 29, has played just 108 NBA games in his career, including a career-high 37 games this year with the Golden State Warriors. He played 16.8 minutes per game, averaging 7.8 points per game, while providing the Warriors with 61.4 percent shooting and 41.5 percent three-point range.
After the contract was regularised, Payton Jr. said: "I'm thrilled and excited to be here and I will continue to help this team win. ”