Gary Patyon II could be an intriguing option if the Cleveland Cavaliers make some moves

The Cleveland Cavaliers could use Gary Payont II in the right situation.

Full stop, I don’t think the Cleveland Cavaliers should prioritize Gary Payton II. What he is as a player and what he does (or can’t do) isn’t a fit for the team right now. So why bring him up? The long game. I think the Cavs are in a position to make a move, without even needing to trade draft picks or Kevin Love, to get a bigger name. With Caris LeVert’s expiring deal, guys like Dylan Windler and Isaac Okoro who are getting played out of the lineup but still have that ugly word, “potential”, there’s enough here to swing for a bigger piece.

A bigger piece, without blowing up the core of this team.

If the Cavs can in fact land a moderate upgrade using just those pieces, say a Gordon Hayward type, maybe even an Andrew Wiggins type, then that’s when Payton comes into play. When the team needs to replace Windler and/or Okoro, that’s where the Payton need goes up.

The Cleveland Cavaliers would be wise to keep an eye on Gary Payton II

Payton, currently a member of the Golden State Warriors, is on a team that is heading for an interesting offseason. The team has two young assets in Johnathan Kuminga and James Wiseman who have been non-factors in their title chase this year for various reasons. Wiggins is in the last year of his deal, and Draymond Green is looking washed up. There’s a lot here in flux for the Warriors, so if they try to make another run, there are going to be a lot of moving pieces and Payton likely won’t be brought back.

Wiggins will turn 28 and will be heading into the last year of his contract. Is he worth a four or five-year deal at $35 million a year? Will the Warriors make a move to land a bigger name with Kuminga and Wiseman as their centerpieces? Will they blow the whole thing up and trade every one of value? Probably not that last one, but the point is that the team is likely getting overhauled if they lose (or even if they win) the NBA Finals

If the team does in fact, and it is an if, Payton walks. Payton is hitting free agency this year regardless. That doesn’t mean he won’t re-sign with Golden State, it’s just that teams can make their pitches.

I don’t think Payton is a priority over Collin Sexton or Ricky Rubio, nor should the team look at him unless they move on from Okoro. Yet, if the team doesn’t move on from Okoro, and fails to land Rubio or bring back Sexton, then the Cavs need to prioritize guys over Payton who can play make.

Maybe Tyus Jones.

Payton only makes sense in a situation where several current Cavaliers get sent to a new team, one of which being either Windler or Okoro. Otherwise, Payton isn’t the right guy for this team.