The Warriors traded James Wiseman for Gary Payton II because they needed immediate help. That help won’t come before April.
After a four-team trade brought Payton back to the Warriors, a team physical revealed Payton had a core muscle injury. Initial reports from The Athletic said Payton could miss “two-to-three months,” which would take his absence past the end of the regular season.
Golden State was unhappy that Portland hadn’t revealed before the deal that Payton had been playing through pain, or that Blazers team trainers were giving him Toradol. But after going through with the trade, the team now has to hope Payton can return for the playoffs – if the Warriors even make it.
With the team in ninth place, just one game ahead of Portland, playoffs are no guarantee. According to Steve Kerr, Steph Curry has progressed to riding a bike to stay fit but is “a ways off” from returning.
The Warriors filed a complaint with the NBA about Portland’s “failure to disclose relevant information,” but that’s not going to help Golden State’s perimeter defense. GM Bob Myers said he only wants “whatever the NBA says is fair” out of the league’s upcoming investigation of the Blazers.
Maybe Payton can live in James Wiseman’s old house while he rehabilitates his injury. He won’t be on the court any time soon.
