Warriors go through with four-team trade, acquiring Gary Payton II

SANFRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Warriors have decided to gothrough with completion of a four-team trade to acquire Gary PaytonII from Portland despite concerns that arose surrounding theguard’s health following offseason surgery for a core muscle injurythat sidelined him until last month.

A personwith direct knowledge of the situation said Sunday that theWarriors spoke to the NBA about how the Trail Blazers handled thedeal and information about the medical situation for Payton, whosephysical Friday brought up issues that put the trade in jeopardy.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymitybecause no details of the negotiations and discussions were madepublic.

Thedefending champions had until Sunday night to make a decisionwhether to rescind the swap that sent center James Wiseman toDetroit. Golden State also will receive unprotected 2026 and ‘28second-round draft picks from Portland while giving up Memphis’2026 second-round pick and its own 2028 second-round selection toPortland.

The Pistonstraded forward Saddiq Bey to the Hawks and the Blazers acquireforward Kevin Knox II from the Detroit along with three conditionalsecond-round picks from the Hawks.

The30-year-old Payton played a key role as a defensive stopper forGolden State during last season’s title run and would immediatelyprovide backcourt depth with Stephen Curry sidelined at least untilafter the All-Star break with a left leg injury.

Payton’sstatus for the rest of the season is unclear. He played againstGolden State in a win Wednesday night at Portland before rejoininghis former team ahead of the trade deadline a day later. Payton isaveraging 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists over 15games.

Blazersgeneral manager Joe Cronin said Friday that the team wasconfident Payton was healthy before agreeing to trade him to GoldenState.

“He had beencleared and we were confident that he was healthy when he wasplaying,” Cronin said. “We would not have brought him back if wethought he wasn’t healthy or if he was at risk.”

Portland headcoach Chauncey Billups agreed.

“We wouldnever push a guy to play. Whether it’s medical or whether a guyjust doesn’t feel like he can play that night — say he’s got aheadache or say he’s just got a lot of stress at home, or say hehas a death in the family,” Billups said. “I would never pushsomebody to play because I would always be scared of me doing thatand then something actually happening.”