Former Oregon State Star Returns to the Northwest
PORTLAND, Ore. (July 6, 2022) – The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard Gary Payton II, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We are excited to have Gary join us in Portland,” said Cronin. “Gary brings an elite defensive acumen and championship pedigree that will be essential to how we play basketball. His competitiveness and toughness will accent Coach Billups’ style of play.”
A six-year NBA veteran out of Oregon State, Payton (6-3, 190) averaged 7.1 points (61.6% FG, 35.8% 3PT, 60.3% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.35 steals and 17.6 minutes in 71 games (16 starts) as a prominent contributor to the 2022 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors during the 2021-22 season. Payton posted career highs in points per game (7.1), rebounds (3.5), steals (1.35) and minutes (17.6) and led the team in steals per game and total steals.
Over the course of six seasons, Payton has garnered career averages of 5.2 points (54.2% FG, 32.0% 3PT, 57.1% FT), 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.04 steals and 14.5 minutes per game in 142 games (39 starts) for Golden State, Washington, Milwaukee and the L.A. Lakers.