NBA world reacts to controversial trade seemingly going through

On Friday, a day after Gary Payton II was traded to the Golden State Warriors in a four-team deal, moments before the NBA Trade Deadline, it was unsure if the deal would actually happen. A failed physical from the Warriors and the news that Payton was playing hurt in his final games with the Portland Trail Blazers put the trade in jeopardy. But on Saturday, a happy ending seems to have been reached.

Before the game, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reported that the Warriors had set up a locker for  Payton but also acknowledged that the “situation remains fluid.” Late in the game, though, Slater sent out another update that seemed to clarify things.

“Gary Payton II has emerged from the Warriors’ tunnel/locker room area and is now seated next to Bob Myers and Mike Dunleavy Jr. for the fourth quarter of this Warriors-Lakers game,” Slater tweeted.

Gary Payton II has emerged from the Warriors' tunnel/locker room area and is now seated next to Bob Myers and Mike Dunleavy Jr. for the fourth quarter of this Warriors-Lakers game.

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 12, 2023

The general opinion of NBA Twitter was that this likely means that Payton will remain a Warrior and the trade will go through.

Interesting… https://t.co/BmIr5uPqz9

— Joe Hughes (@VegasJoeHughes) February 12, 2023

YESSSIR HES STAYING A WARRIOR https://t.co/acMqfNdDfC

— Showtime 💥 (@Showtime_3011) February 12, 2023

I guess this is a sign Payton’s staying https://t.co/I1NGMiUwSe

— Oakland Warriors Podcast (@OaklandWarriors) February 12, 2023

So, GP2 is staying. https://t.co/HKlp4Nr1l8

— LOLKNBR (@LOLKNBR) February 12, 2023

If the drama around this trade has taught us anything, it’s that we shouldn’t jump to conclusions until the trade becomes official. That said, Myers is Golden State’s general manager. Dunleavy is the team’s vice president of basketball operations. If Payton is sitting with them at a Warriors game, it’s a good sign that the trade will be made official before Sunday’s 9:30 p.m. ET deadline.

[Anthony Slater on Twitter.]