The Golden State Warriors were not quite active in the trade market in the summer. The defending champs have struggled to find some winning momentum this year. However, Bob Myers and the Warriors did not make any trades until the last minute. They managed to secure Gary Payton II in a 4-team deal that rocked the NBA world on deadline day. The Warriors sent James Wiseman to the Detroit Pistons, who traded Saddiq Bey to the Atlanta Hawks. Trae Young’s team traded Kevin Knox among second-round picks to the Blazers in return.
REPORT: The Blazers' training staff pushed Gary Payton II to play through injury with Toradol shots.
“This had not been relayed to the Warriors during the negotiation process.”
(via @ShamsCharania, @anthonyVslater, https://t.co/lXVIrCiNzP) pic.twitter.com/VX63JuqqAo
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 11, 2023
The Warriors were not aware of the issues that arose in the days following the trade. After joining the team, it was later disclosed that Gary Payton failed his medical with GSW. Reports say that the Blazers did not inform the Warriors of the abdominal injury that Gary is still dealing with. In addition to that, the Warriors discovered that Payton had to play through the pain with the help of Toradol injections.
The NBA has received a complaint from the Golden State Warriors against the Portland Trail Blazers and the league has launched a review of potential misleading by the Blazers regarding Gary Payton II's status, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 12, 2023
Gary Payton II’s agent later debunked these rumors and claimed that the player had never taken shots to play while being injured. This opened up the controversy, as the Warriors recently filed a complaint to Adam Silver and the NBA to investigate the matter. This has infuriated Warriors fans as many believe that the Trail Blazers organization were not transparent with the information they shared.
Golden State Warriors fans believe the Trail Blazers organization should be sued after Gary Payton II trade
According to sources, the Warriors are currently working towards a solution that works with all concerned parties. An important to take note of is that if the GSW franchise sends Payton back to the Blazers, the trade will be voided for all the four teams as well. Moreover, fans have been left furious after how the Blazers’ alleged misconduct. A fan took to Twitter and wrote, “Sue those frauds.”
Sue those frauds
— Jasson ⚡️ (@minola_12) February 12, 2023
Sue those thugs
— WARRIORS 2022 CHAMP💯 (@TimeoDubois56) February 12, 2023
W, warriors should get dame for this horrible thing the blazers thing
— Alexxxx 🥶🌝 (@CurryTakingOver) February 12, 2023
They should have to give back the picks and Payton
— wardell (@CurCarry) February 12, 2023
https://twitter.com/untidyclan/status/1624828935346487297?s=20&t=Zr9cDWxEDs2ZcCwkxfka9Q
It is safe to say that Warriors are not all that happy with how the deal has gone down. The Blazers might lose their rights to the picks if the NBA finds that they did not provide the Warriors with enough information. However, Blazers GM Joe Cronin even mentioned that player safety was always a priority for the franchise. Adam Silver and the NBA have not commented on the controversy just yet, as investigation continues. Only time will tell where Gary Payton II’s future lies.