The Golden State Warriors came into NBA deadline day with a few things on their to-do list. Potentially the top of it was to clear some players off of the roster so that they could lower their tax bill. They looked to accomplish that in a three-team deal that also included the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons.
The Warriors were sending James Wiseman to Detroit with Saddiq Bey heading to Atlanta. Golden State was receiving five second-round picks as a result of that swap, but the deal was expanded.
The expansion of the deal was Kevin Knox II heading to Golden State to help match salary. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN noted that it was not a lock that Knox would remain with the Warriors. His hunch proved correct as the deal was expanded another time to include a fourth team, the Portland Trail Blazers.
Knox is being re-routed to Portland along with five second-round picks from the Warriors. They are bringing back a familiar face as Gary Payton II is heading back to Golden State as part of the deal.
It is unclear if the five second-round picks that Golden State is sending out are from the Hawks. But for all intents and purposes, the Warriors swapped Wiseman out for Payton.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Payton II, Portland Trail Blazers & Golden State Warriors Updates
Payton signed a three-year, $26.145 million deal in free agency with the Trail Blazers. This is during the 2022 offseason in a move that has proven costly for Golden State.
They have been unable to find the same production with their second unit as the young players have failed to step up. Payton should slide right back into a familiar role, sharing the second unit with Jordan Poole and Donte DiVincenzo once Stephen Curry returns from injury.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gary Payton II, Portland Trail Blazers & Golden State Warriors Updates
The Trail Blazers’ motivation to get involved is more than likely the five second-round picks. They have now added three wing players in less than 24 hours. To their roster with Knox joining Cam Reddish and Matisse Thybulle as recent acquisitions.
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