Gary Payton II has enjoyed nine seasons in the NBA, benefiting from a lifetime steeped in basketball as the son of a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Having secured an NBA title in 2022, the guard is now on his second stint with the Golden State Warriors, currently standing at the eighth spot in the Western Conference standings. If the season concluded today, the Warriors would partake in the NBA’s play-in tournament, offering the 7th to 10th-seeded teams from each conference a shot at the postseason. With a 31-27 record in the first 58 games of the 82-game season, the Warriors are scheduled to face the Magic in Orlando at 7 p.m. ET. Payton’s stats include an average of 5.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 13.4 minutes per game, with ten starts out of 46 games played this season. Payton recently conversed with USA TODAY, providing insights into league dynamics and his journey. Reflecting on the addition of teammate Jimmy Butler, Payton expressed enthusiasm for the Warriors’ playoff aspirations. Payton praised Butler’s impact on the team, highlighting his versatility and high basketball IQ. With Butler contributing significantly to the team’s recent wins, Payton emphasized the seamless integration of Butler’s skills with the existing roster strengths. While Butler’s extended contract with Miami was notable, Payton shared his focus on the current season with the Warriors, as his three-year deal nears its end. Payton, a Seattle native, remains passionate about the city’s basketball history and its potential for an NBA revival. Recalling the vibrant basketball culture during the Seattle SuperSonics era, Payton advocates for Seattle to reclaim its status as a basketball hub in the league.
Presently occupying the position I find myself in today, I have harbored a perennial desire to return to my roots and engage in some recreational activities back home. “With any luck, within the next few years, they will work out the logistics and bring back the opportunity, with the added bonus of my father being involved,” I ponder optimistically. While no definitive timeline has been established for an official announcement regarding the expansion of the league, the NBA has made it apparent that Seattle remains on its radar, as evidenced by the hosting of preseason games in the city in recent times, suggesting a mutual interest between the locale and the league.
The venue, now known as Climate Pledge Arena after being rebranded from KeyArena between 1995 and 2018, currently plays host to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. Following completion of its renovations in 2021, the same year in which the hockey franchise was established, the arena now stands as a modernized sporting facility. “Seattle undoubtedly deserves a men’s basketball team,” remarked Payton. “Their support for the Storm and the Kraken is commendable. The city has proven its dedication and loyalty, making a strong case for the return of the Sonics.”
In a historic upset, the Kraken clinched victory over the Colorado Avalanche in a thrilling seven-game series during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, marking a significant milestone by becoming the first NHL team to secure victory in its inaugural postseason matchup against a reigning champion. Founded in 2000, the Storm remained rooted in Seattle even after the NBA franchise’s relocation to Oklahoma City, assuming the mantle as the city’s primary professional basketball team and clinching four WNBA championships in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020.
Expanding his ventures beyond basketball, Payton recently ventured into the business realm by investing in a Black-owned water bottle brand called Suplmnt. Acquiring an equity stake in the enterprise helmed by Jarius Morris, Payton aligns with the brand’s mission of promoting hydration and cultural significance. “I was introduced to this water bottle by my close friend and business partner, urging me to give it a try,” shared Payton. “After incorporating it into my daily routine, the positive feedback was overwhelming.”
Morris established the brand with the purpose of advocating for increased water consumption within Black and Brown communities and fostering empowerment. Adorned with unique designs that blend art and culture, the water bottles serve as a stylish and convenient means of staying hydrated. “My exploration into the water industry commenced rather late in the game,” explained Morris. “While water bottles have existed for an extended period, I stumbled upon lesser-known brands targeting the urban demographic. Hence, I sought to create a product resonating with cultural influences.”
Impressed by the quality and aesthetics of the water bottles, Payton embraced them as thoughtful Christmas gifts for his teammates. Delighted by the diverse
