HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 20: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a shot past Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

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Cole Sullivan

By Cole Sullivan

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With NBA media day, training camp, and preseason all tipping off this week, the regular season is right around the corner, with opening night set for Oct. 21.

One of the teams featured on opening night will be the Golden State Warriors, who enter the 2025-26 season as one of the league’s most intriguing squads for a variety of reasons. Over the past 24-48 hours, they’ve been putting the final touches on their roster.

While still in negotiations with rising star Jonathan Kuminga on a contract extension—with little traction so far—the Warriors signed veteran forward Al Horford and guard De’Anthony Melton. On Monday, they also made the re-signing of two-way guard Gary Payton Jr. official.

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The Warriors announced the move with a post reading: “Let’s rock, [Gary Payton Jr.].”

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Golden State is headlined by Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, but rounding out the roster with talent to complement those three was a necessity. Payton Jr. has consistently proven he can be effective in an ever-changing role, especially on the defensive end.

Payton was part of the Warriors’ 2022 championship team, and at age 32, he appeared in 62 games last season, starting 11. He averaged 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in roughly 15 minutes per game.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 20: Gary Payton II #0 of the Golden State Warriors attempts a shot past Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

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The Warriors will open their season against Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Golden State is looking to build on last year’s campaign, which ended in the second round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets after Stephen Curry suffered an injury in Game 1 that sidelined him for the rest of the series.

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