The Golden State Warriors are heading into a tricky offseason. But one thing’s crystal clear through the fog of cap spreadsheets and tough decisions: they want Gary Payton II back in a Dubs jersey. The defensive specialist who helped them win it all in 2022 still fits like a glove (yes, pun intended). League sources say both sides want to keep the good vibes rolling. The catch? Payton may have to take a bit less to make the math work.

Gary Payton II recently picked up his $9.13 million player option for 2024-25, the final year of a three-year, $26.1 million deal he originally signed with Portland. That number is solid for a high-energy, do-it-all role player. But the Warriors’ payroll is already stuffed to the brim—meaning they can’t keep everyone without shaving off some dollars. So, the front office is hoping to work out a cheaper extension with Payton to keep him around long-term without breaking the cap.

Injuries have been Payton’s biggest opponent these past few years. He’s played just 124 of a possible 246 games in the last three seasons. But when he is healthy? He moves the needle. Last year, he posted a +5.8 net rating across 680 minutes—the second-best on the roster. He even dropped a career-high 26 points in a game, a reminder that his offense isn’t just a bonus anymore—it’s becoming a weapon. Add that to his lockdown defense, and he’s still one of the most underrated disruptors in the league.

BREAKING: The Warriors and Gary Payton II have mutual interest in a new deal, and Golden State hopes to re-sign him on a discount contract, league sources tell @RobMurrows pic.twitter.com/FGb08NoBbL

— Ball Report (@BallReportX) June 10, 2025

 Gary Payton II isn’t playing hardball either. He’s said, loud and clear, that he wants to stay. “Hopefully I can run off a couple more years in the league. It would be great to do it here,” he said. “I love this organization. I love playing for Steve. Love the guys they bring in to try to help win.”

That’s not just PR speak—that’s a player who sees the fit and wants to make it work. And for a Warriors team walking a financial tightrope, that’s gold.

Jonathan Kuminga’s Contract Talks Put Warriors in a Tough Spot This Offseason

Now, Gary Payton II looks like a clean re-sign on a lighter deal, but  Jonathan Kuminga’s case is more complicated. The 21-year-old is heading into restricted free agency, and the Warriors have already tossed out a $7.9 million qualifying offer for 2025-26. But let’s be honest: there’s no shot Kuminga signs that. He’s looking for a bag, and rightfully so.

Kuminga’s rookie deal, signed back in 2021, gave Golden State some team-friendly options early on. But that grace period is over. If they want to lock him down long-term, it’s going to cost—especially with Curry, Butler, and Wiggins already chewing up cap space like it’s a buffet. And that’s where things get murky.

The Warriors love Kuminga’s talent—his athleticism, his flashes of stardom, the defensive potential. But there’s still some identity confusion. Steve Kerr sees him as a do-it-all glue guy, a modern Shawn Marion-type. Kuminga, on the other hand, is gunning for a bigger role and a bigger spotlight. He wants to be the guy, not just a guy. That difference in vision isn’t exactly helping the negotiation process.

As ESPN’s Bobby Marks put it, Kuminga is the swing piece in Golden State’s offseason. If they pay him big, the rest of the roster gets tighter. If they let him test the market, they risk losing a key piece of their future. A sign-and-trade could be on the table, or maybe, Kuminga rolls the dice and plays on the qualifying offer to hit unrestricted free agency in 2026. But that seems unlikely given his rising stock.

So while Gary Payton feels like a near-lock to stay—at a team-friendly rate—Kuminga’s future is a major question mark. The Warriors have a lot of thinking to do. And not much financial breathing room to work with.