After losing the draft in 2016, Payton II joined the Houston Rockets for the 2016 NBA Summer League. Then he moved to the Bucks, Lakers, Raptors, Wizards and other teams, and in October last year, Peyton Jr. was cut for the fourth time, and he is ready to join the development league again. But a few days later, he was signed by the Warriors to the final roster. Now, he's one of the best defensive guards among NBA championship contenders.
In the 75 regular-season games he played for the Warriors, he averaged 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 0.3 blocks per game, playing the performance of top defenders and becoming an important part of the Warriors' bench.
In the Nuggets' second playoff game, Payton Jr. scored 3 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks in 18 minutes, and he hatted MVP Jokic from behind, instantly making Payton Jr. on the hot search.
In the third game between the two sides, Payton Jr. scored again on the offensive end, scoring 10 minutes in the first half, 4 of 4, 3 of 3 three-pointers, 11 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal, shooting 100% from the field and 100% from three-point range. In the third quarter, he played for 5 minutes without a shot, and the net win of 10 points was quite outstanding.
Peyton Jr., who is 1.91 meters tall, is more like a striker's play most of the time on the field, and can also oppress Jokic in the defense, and the outside Peyton + the inside line chases dreams, jokic This round of the series is very difficult.
Payton Jr. is the team's main rotation in these three games, averaging 17.3 minutes per game, scoring 6.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1 assist, 0.67 steals and 1 block, shooting 75% from the field and 100% from three-point range, horror, right?
Payton's salary this season is $1.67 million, and with his outstanding performance this season, the salary will also rise next season, and I don't know if the Warriors can stay.
Jokic is about to become the first MVP superstar in NBA history to be swept in the first round. And he will be a stepping stone for many role players, such as the Warriors' benchback Gary Payton II.