The Golden State Warriors have refused to make a move in the early stages of the 2025 NBA offseason.

With Golden State’s aging core of 4-time NBA champion Stephen Curry, 2017 Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green and 6-time All-Star Jimmy Butler have not been supplied with reinforcements.

Advertisement

Instead of acquiring new talents to aid the legendary trio, the team lost a franchise pillar and 3-time NBA champion Kevon Looney to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, shaking the organization to its core.

One integral piece of the Warriors’ title-winning 2022 team has already skipped town, and recent reports have indicated that their electrifying defensive-minded guard and explosive athlete Gary Payton II could be next.

“The Dallas Mavericks should be impressive upon Kyrie Irving’s return from an ACL tear,” ClutchPoints’ Bailey Bassett wrote Thursday evening.

“Until then, though, they need stopgap options to fill backcourt minutes.”

Advertisement

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

“They already signed D’Angelo Russell, but they shouldn’t stop there. Gary Payton II can provide the defense and effort that Russell lacks.”

With the Dallas Mavericks looking to compete in 2025-26 with a core of Anthony Davis, ex-Warriors star Klay Thompson and their No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Cooper Flagg, Payton II would make sense as a needle-moving free agent addition.

As for Golden State, Payton II’s hypothetical departure would all-but certainly mark the end of an era for the franchise that rose from the ashes and stood atop the NBA world just a few years ago.

Advertisement

In 62 appearances with the Warriors during the regular season, Payton II contributed 6.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 steals while boasting a spectacular 2.0 defensive box plus-minus and an unreal 57.4% field goal percentage.

Standing at just 6-foot-2, Payton II has remained a consistent option in the dunker spot for emphatic alley-oop slams, but his amazing defensive intensity is what really sets him apart.

If the Mavericks are able to poach the 32-year-old veteran, the Warriors would lose out on one of the most uniquely gifted guards in the entire NBA and another franchise staple.

More NBA: Where Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg ranks in early Rookie of the Year odds