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Pass or Pursue: Top 10 NBA point guard 2022 free agent targets

By Jordanna Clark

Apr 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving (11) dribbles the ball against New York Knicks shooting guard Immanuel Quickley (5) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving (11) dribbles the ball against New York Knicks shooting guard Immanuel Quickley (5) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Gary Payton II
Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) – New York Knicks /

7: Gary Payton II

Gary Payton II has been on five teams since he entered the league in 2015, but he’s in the midst of his best season with the Golden State Warriors.

The 29-year-old played in a career-high 71 games during the regular season and averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds. He shot 61.6% from the field and 35.8% from the 3-point line. Payton’s been a spark for the Warriors in the playoffs, including a clutch 15-point performance against the Nuggets to close out the first-round series.

After playing in 10 games for Golden State in 2020-21, Payton was waived by the Warriors but was then brought back a few days later and signed a one-year, $1.9 million deal.

Payton elevated himself from Golden State’s 15th man to a starter in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Memphis Grizzlies, but sadly he’s out for the next month or so with a fractured elbow that he suffered in Game 2.

He’s no Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, or even Jordan Poole, but he does a lot of the little things that you can’t get from a stat sheet.

He’s outplayed his less than $2 million contract and the Warriors should look to re-sign him during the offseason, but if that doesn’t happen, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent.

Payton wouldn’t be able to replicate the success that he’s had in San Francisco with the Knicks. He wouldn’t be a starter for New York either. Although his grit would be welcomed, especially by Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks don’t have a current need to pursue him in free agency.

Verdict: Pass