Warriors Decide to Go Through With Gary Payton II Four Team Trade Despite Injury Concerns

• The Golden State Warriors have completed a four-team trade bringing Gary Payton II back to the Chase Center
• The deal was reportedly set to fall apart after the guard failed a physical with his new club a few days ago
• The Warriors then launched a complaint to the NBA against the Portland Trail Blazers for misleading info

The Golden State Warriors have decided to go through with a four-team trade that was in serious jeopardy, after discovering a significant issue with Gary Payton II during a physical.

The move allows the trade between the Warriors, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks to go through as planned.

The defending champions had until Sunday evening to go through with the trade or rescind it.

The guard now rejoins the Warriors, after leaving last summer to sign a three-year, $26-million deal with the Blazers.

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However, the 30-year-old missed the first 35 games of the season as he was recovering from abdominal surgery.

He made his debut on January 2, 2023, and played 15 games before last Thursday's trade deadline, per NBC Sports.

The deal included sending James Wiseman to Detroit, Saddiq Bey going to Atlanta, Kevin Knox heading to the Trail Blazers, and five future second-round picks.

The Warriors lodged a complaint against the Blazers with the NBA before Sunday's deadline, alleging they were provided misleading information regarding Payton's health status.

Warriors complete 4-team trade

According to ESPN, the 2022 NBA champions have now completed the four-team trade allowing Payton to pass his physical, with three more players cleared as of Monday.

The Blazers could lose draft picks and fines if the NBA finds any wrongdoing. The Warriors shared potential evidence that the Portland team failed to disclose vital medical information before agreeing on the trade.

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The Blazers also reportedly failed to provide information that Payton was taking Toradol - a painkiller - to allow him to play in games. The guard has two years and $18-million left on his contract.

Fans' reaction to Payton's news

@AlvinMacatanga1:

"Doesn’t matter now what he says.. the team needs to play consistent basketball, whether its gp2 or wise on the team."

@Mr_G_01:

"GPII might not play at all this season. Do the W’s get any kind of compensation if their complaint to the league is successful?"

@JoeCorey17:

"How does Myers survive this? we gave up a No 2 pick for absolutely nothing."

@ASwaim3:

"It’s much more about the luxury tax than the piece. LOL."

@huttvalleyronny:

"Love GP2 and stoked with the trade but kind of wanted the drama of seeing wiseman walk back in."

Warriors' struggles continue

Sports Brief earlier reported on the Warriors losing to LA Lakers 109-103, leaving them with a 28-28 record this season.

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LeBron James missed the game because of ankle pain, but D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Davis lifted the team to an important win on the road.

The defending champions also missed Stephen Curry, who is nursing a leg injury and will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.