The Golden State Warriors recently made a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers for the services of veteran guard Gary Payton II. However, controversy arose after Payton failed his physical due to a “core muscle injury”. It now appears that the trade will ultimately go through, but the Warriors have still gone ahead with a complaint against the Trail Blazers organization.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the NBA received a complaint from Golden State against the Trail Blazers. This has launched an investigation by the NBA to review the Trail Blazers’ potentially misleading the Warriors about Payton’s health.
It’s unclear what kind of sanctions could be dealt towards the Trail Blazers if they is evidence of misleading Golden State. Regardless many around the NBA world reacted to this bit of drama revealed on Super Bowl Sunday.
Charania also revealed on Sunday that the Warriors will indeed go through with the four-team trade for Payton ahead of Sunday’s deadline to complete the deal. However, they will not pass Payton’s physical exam.
It is unclear whether or not Payton will ultimately even be able to suit up this season. Previous reports revealed that he could miss up to three months following the Warriors’ initial physical exam on him.
Payton is set to be in Golden State through the 2024-25 season, so this move could be a long-term decision for the Warriors if they view him as a piece of their future.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.