?Made My Whole Day?: Shaquille O?Neal?s Ex-Wife Shaunie Thrilled by ?Nephew?s? Return to Stephen Curry?s Warriors

Many NBA franchises were a part of some sensational trades during the closing day of the February 9 trade deadline. Now that the dust has somewhat settled, teams look to adapt to their new roster and analyze their chances of winning the championship this season. The Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors also pulled off an exciting deal during the final moments of the trade deadline on Thursday. The Warriors were part of a multi-team deal to bring back their championship-winning guard from the Portland Trail Blazers, as they aim for another ring this season. Recently, Shaquille O’Neal’s former wife Shaunie Henderson expressed her joy following her ‘nephew’s’ comeback alongside Curry and co.

The Warriors recently traded James Wiseman in order to make way for Gary Payton II from the Trail Blazers in a trade that also involved the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks. Surprisingly, Shaunie Henderson expressed her joy about Payton II’s return to the Warriors franchise after her daughter Me’Arah O’Neal gave her reaction.

The Stephen Curry-led Warriors’ new addition prompts excitement from Shaunie Henderson

?In a recently uploaded story on Instagram, Shaunie Henderson posted a picture of Gary Payton II holding the 2022 NBA championship trophy with a Warriors cap on his head. The caption of the?Basketball Wives?star’s story read, “This trade made my whole day! Love you Nephew @garydwyane.”

Payton II happens to be the son of Shaquille O’Neal’s former Miami Heat championship-winning teammate Gary Payton. Given their history, Shaunie Henderson might have been around Payton II while he was growing up, as she referred to him as ‘nephew’.

READ MORE:??Trade Him, He?s a Bust?: Stephen Curry?s Warriors on Path to Save $131 Million Get Fans Approval

Gary Payton II was an integral part of the Stephen Curry-led Warriors team that won the 2022 championship last year. With the Warriors struggling with increasing luxury-tax bills, they traded off Payton II to the Trail Blazers, who offered him a three-year 26.1 million deal. However, with the exit of 21-year-old Wiseman, who cost Golden State more than Payton, the Warriors are likely to save $7 million in luxury tax this season and an estimated $30 million in the coming season.

How did the Warriors manage to acquire Gary Payton II?

The Golden State Warriors did a multi-team deal that included the Detroit Pistons, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Portland Trail Blazers. Stephen Curry and co. sent James Wiseman to the Pistons in exchange for Saddiq Bey and Kevin Knox II.?

Watch this story:??Stephen Curry?s highest scoring games after 50-point masterpiece in Warriors defeat vs Suns?

Moreover, the Warriors sent Saddiq Bey to the Atlanta Hawks for five second-round picks, which they combined with Knox II to get Gary Payton II from the Trail Blazers. It would be thrilling to see if Payton II’s addition to the Golden State roster helps them improve on their concerning 28-27 record this season.