Gary Payton II believes the Golden State Warriors’ relatively low expectations entering the 2026-27 season could give the team a familiar feeling.
The Warriors missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2022, but Payton sees similarities between the current situation and the circumstances surrounding Golden State’s most recent championship.
“It’s funny,” Payton told NBC Sports Bay Area on Sunday. “It kind of gives, in a sense, a ‘22 feeling. We’re not expected to do anything, but we still got a pretty good veteran core, and we got some talented young guys.”
The Warriors entered the 2021-22 season without the same level of expectations that had surrounded them during their championship years earlier in the dynasty. Golden State ultimately finished 53-29 and defeated the Boston Celtics in six games in the NBA Finals.
Payton was part of that championship team and believes the current Warriors can benefit from a similar dynamic.
“The goal this year, the motto for me, is stay healthy and have fun,” Payton said.
Health will be particularly important for a Golden State roster that combines veteran experience with younger players. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Al Horford remain central figures, while Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are also expected to play important roles when healthy.
Payton believes the Warriors’ younger players can help preserve the veterans throughout the regular season.
“Down the line, young guys are gonna win some games for us and give our vet guys some time to rest and chill,” Payton said. “And when it’s time, when it matters, I think you know we’re always going to show up.”
Curry remains the centerpiece of the team after averaging 26.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 43 games last season. He shot 46.8% from the field, 39.3% from three-point range and 92.3% from the free-throw line.
Green, meanwhile, averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 68 games while continuing to anchor the defense.
Payton also pointed to the eventual returns of Butler and Moody as reasons for optimism.
“We got 30 [Stephen Curry], we got [Draymond Green],” Payton said. “When we get Jimmy [Butler] and we get Moses [Moody] back, you never know. We just got to play the right ball until the right time and see what happens.”
Payton played 73 games last season, averaging 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 steals in 15.6 minutes per game. He shot 58.3% from the field, although he made just 29.1% of his three-point attempts.
Golden State also added No. 11 overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg to a group that includes Brandin Podziemski and Gui Santos. Lendeborg gives the Warriors another young option as they attempt to balance development with their veteran core.
The Warriors spent much of the offseason pursuing major additions, including Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James, but neither move materialized.
