Gary Payton II, who has had six seasons with the Golden State Warriors, has grown into a key defensive player that fans admire. Despite his success and comfort in Golden State, Payton II revealed in an exclusive interview with The Athletic’s Nick Friedell that if the NBA expands to include a Seattle team, he would seek a trade to join them.
The Seattle franchise in question is the SuperSonics, a team that no longer exists but remains a hopeful target if the NBA decides to add new teams. Payton II said,
“Request a trade to Seattle, probably.”
His connection to that city goes beyond basketball since his father, Gary Payton Sr., spent 13 years as a star player for the Sonics, leading the franchise in assists and steals, appearing in nine All-Star games, and taking the team to an NBA Finals.
Family Legacy and Personal Ambitions
While Payton II expressed love and gratitude for his current team, he acknowledged that playing in Seattle would be a special opportunity to honor his father’s legacy. He told Friedell,
“Respectfully. I love it here so much, but if we do (see the NBA expand to Seattle) when I’m still here, I definitely want to go back and play there.”
When asked if he and his father had discussed the idea of him joining a new Seattle team, Payton II said their conversations had not touched on it, but he believes his father understands his desire. He stated,
“No, but he knows that if they do, I would want to go for sure. Absolutely.”
NBA Expansion Prospects and Future Outlook
The NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, has not provided a specific timeline for adding new franchises but mentioned to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that a decision is likely around 2026. Silver explained,
“I think now we’re in the process of working with our teams and gauging the level of interest and having a better understanding of what the economics would be on the ground for those particular teams and what a pro forma would look like for them, and then sometime in 2026 we’ll make a determination.”
Payton II will become an unrestricted free agent following the 2025-26 season, though it is expected that the Warriors will try to keep the talented defender. Still, his willingness to join a revived Seattle franchise highlights the importance of family heritage and the potential excitement surrounding NBA expansion.
