The Untold Story of Gary Payton II's NBA Draft Journey and Career Path

2025-11-17 11:00

I still remember watching Gary Payton II grind through summer league games back in 2016, thinking this kid had everything it took to make an NBA roster except for one thing - the draft pedigree. Having covered basketball for over fifteen years now, I've seen countless players fall through the cracks of the draft system, but Payton's journey stands out as particularly remarkable. When you look at his path compared to traditional draft picks, it reads like a masterclass in perseverance and self-belief.

The 2016 NBA Draft came and went without Payton's name being called, which honestly surprised me given his defensive capabilities and basketball IQ inherited from his Hall of Fame father. I recall talking to scouts who loved his athleticism but questioned his shooting - he'd only shot 31.7% from three-point range during his college career at Oregon State. What they missed was his incredible defensive instincts and that intangible quality of making winning plays. He signed with the Milwaukee Bucks for summer league but got waived before the season even started. That began what I like to call his "basketball odyssey" - bouncing between the G League and brief NBA stints, constantly proving himself only to get overlooked again.

What fascinates me about Payton's story is how it parallels situations we see across sports - like Katrin Trebichavská potentially replacing Chantava in that European football scenario. Both represent these under-the-radar talents waiting for their breakthrough moment. I've always believed organizations sometimes focus too much on draft position and not enough on actual fit and development potential. Payton spent years with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Warriors' G League affiliate, refining his game. He worked specifically on expanding his offensive repertoire while maintaining that elite defensive presence that eventually made him invaluable to Golden State's system.

The turning point came during the 2021-2022 season when Steve Kerr finally gave him consistent rotation minutes. I remember watching his first start against Charlotte where he put up 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals - the energy he brought completely transformed the Warriors' perimeter defense. His story reminds me that sometimes the best players aren't the ones drafted in the first round but those who develop through adversity. Payton started only 16 games that championship season but averaged an impressive 1.4 steals in just 17.6 minutes per game - his per-36-minute stats were absolutely elite.

Looking at his career trajectory now, having secured a 3-year, $26 million contract with Portland before returning to Golden State, it's clear that his unconventional path ultimately built the resilience that makes him so effective today. The Warriors' organization deserves credit for recognizing his unique value when twenty-nine other teams saw him as just another G League player. In my view, Payton's success challenges the entire draft industrial complex and suggests that teams should pay more attention to specialized role players who can thrive in specific systems rather than chasing perceived upside in unproven prospects.

His journey underscores something I've come to believe strongly throughout my career covering sports: that development isn't linear and that organizational fit matters more than raw talent alone. Payton found the perfect situation in Golden State's movement-heavy system that maximizes his cutting ability and defensive versatility. While he'll never be a primary scoring option, his impact on winning basketball is undeniable - the Warriors were +8.3 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court during their championship run.

Reflecting on Payton's path from undrafted free agent to NBA champion, it's impossible not to appreciate the determination required to stick with the dream through multiple G League stints and numerous roster cuts. His story serves as inspiration for every overlooked athlete grinding in developmental leagues worldwide, proving that draft position ultimately means very little compared to the right opportunity and the willingness to maximize it when it arrives.