Gary Payton II’s Net Worth 2023

Gary Payton II has a net worth of around $5 million in the year 2023, according to the reports. The 2022 NBA champion signed a 3-year $26.15 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers last season. After his trade to the Golden State Warriors this year, the forward would earn a base salary of $8.7 million in the upcoming season. Till now, in his entire NBA career, he has reportedly garnered over $21 million in salaries.

Gary Payton II’s Early Life

Gary Payton II was born on December 1, 1992, in Seattle, Washington. He started playing basketball at a young age. Later, he attended Spring Valley High School, where he pursued his passion for the game until his graduation in 2011. Then, he went to the Westwind Preparatory Academy before his trajectory-changing move to the Salt Lake Bruins. After spending two years there, GP2 joined the Oregon State Beavers to prepare for the 2016 NBA draft. During his time there, he claimed consecutive Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year titles in 2015 and 2016. Gary Payton II also made it into the First-team All-Pac-12 and Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in those years.

Gary Payton II’s Family and Personal Life

He is the son of the iconic NBA Hall of Famer point guard Gary Payton and his ex-wife, Monique James. So, his father had a strong influence on his interest in the game of basketball. As a successful businesswoman, Monique also impacted Gary Payton II’s childhood majorly. He grew up with his three siblings Julian Payton, Raquel Payton, and Gary Payton Jr.

The NBA star has kept his personal life private from the rest of the world. The 30-year-old’s time in the public eyes with a partner has been limited to date. After winning a ring, he still aimed to follow in the footsteps of his parents as he decided to make his career a priority.

Gary Payton II’s NBA career

Despite his impressive stint at college, he went undrafted before signing for the Houston Rockets. After featuring in the Summer League, he joined their development league side, Rio Grande Valley Vipers. His performances earned him a chance with the Milwaukee Bucks in the following year. Featuring 18 games for them, he started 6 of them before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

His minutes per game improved in LA, but he only played 11 matches for them. After a split in-game time between the NBA teams and NBA G League sides, he returned to the Vipers. In 2018, the Washington Wizards offered him a 10-day contract soon before the Vipers reacquired GP2. He was then traded to the South Bay Lakers ahead of his comeback to the Wizards in December 2019.

This move turned out to be a challenging one for the rising star. He failed to make a significant mark due to his limited minutes with the team. Thus, the Canadian franchise Raptors 905 selected him in the first-ever G League draft back in 2021. This became a game-changer for him as he won the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year there.

It caught the interest of the Golden State Warriors as he spent 2021/22 with them. Starting in 16 of his 71 games, the 6’2 helped the franchise win their 5th championship. Soon after that, he parted ways as the Portland Trail Blazers signed him before his eventual return to the Bay Area.

Gary Payton II’s NBA Career Stats

Regular season games played – 164

Regular season points per game – 5.1

Regular season rebounds per game – 2.8

Regular season assists per game – 1.1

Playoff games played  – 12

Postseason points per game – 6.7

Postseason rebounds per game – 3.4

Postseason assists per game – 1.0

Gary Payton II’s Investments and Endorsements

There is little to no public knowledge about his investments and endorsements.

Gary Payton II’s Achievements and Awards

• 2× First-team All-Pac-12 (2015, 2016)
• 2x Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016)
• 2× Pac-12 All-Defensive Team (2015, 2016)
• Bob Cousy Award Finalist (2016)
• 2015 Pac-12 leader in steals per game (3.1)
• 2015 Pac-12 leader in total steals (95)
• 2016 Pac-12 leader in steals per game (2.5)
• 2016 Pac-12 leader in total steals (80)

Gary Payton II’s Charity and Foundation

He has a foundation named Gary Payton II Foundation to spread dyslexia awareness. The non-profit act aims to help with early detection and assessment. Focusing majorly on the youths, their goal is to serve those who suffer from language-based learning challenges. The league and Kaiser Permanente even recognized his efforts last year. They awarded him with the NBA Cares Community Assist Award, alongside $10,000 in donations.

Gary Payton II’s Shoes

Reportedly, the NBA champion mostly wore the Zoom Kobe 7 pairs during his time in the league.

Gary Payton II’s House

To date, there is still no definite news as to where he resides.

Gary Payton II’s Controversial Moments

His 4-team trade back to the Warriors in 2023 sparked a debate as he failed his physical. The Dubs felt deceived by this move from the Portland organization on the deadline day. The trade went through as the NBA chose to investigate the matter. Due to his abdominal injury on this occasion, he missed out on a significant part of the season.

Later in the season, during the Western Conference semi-finals, he left the court in Game 4. His surprising exit all of a sudden left everyone shocked. The speculations began as many suspected he was holding in his vomit for an entire possession. He refused to share the details even in the post-game interview as the Warriors lost the match.