As the 2026-2027 NBA season approaches, many fans and prognosticators don't view the Golden State Warriors as a championship threat. While Steph Curry is still playing at a high level and Jimmy Butler is set to return to the rotation after his season-ending ACL injury in January, the team didn't make significant roster moves after pursuing LeBron James in free agency early in the offseason.
Warriors veteran Gary Payton II, however, feels this team has similar vibes to the 2022 Warriors team that beat the Boston Celtics to win the NBA championship.
“It feels like we got a good mix of guys – young guys and vets. We got a lot of young guys that are coming off NCAA championships. Those guys know what to do in those big moments and those big games down the stretch to win. For them to come in off of that and come to this winning organization with a bunch of vets that have won championships, I think this group understands what it takes to win. We have Steph, Dray, Al, KP. We got a good vet-core unit,” Payton said in an interview with Fadeaway World.
Payton also said in the interview he believes that playing their brand of basketball can help them put all the pieces together to be a contender.
Article Continues Below“We have to stay healthy and have fun. We have to play a good brand of basketball. If we hit on those three things down the stretch, we will put ourselves in a great position. If we make it to the postseason, I don’t think anybody is going to want to see us.”
He also addressed the doubts about whether the team can remain healthy, given their veteran roster.
“You can’t really do anything about it. You just have to do the best that you can to prevent it. But if we stay healthy, have fun and play a good brand of basketball, we’ll put ourselves in the best spot and shape to make a push.”