Warriors' Gary Payton II Eager to Join Potential Seattle Supersonics Expansion Team

The NBA guard has strong family ties to the Emerald City and wants to carry on his father's legacy.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 2:23pm

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Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II has expressed a strong desire to join an NBA expansion team in Seattle, should the league move forward with plans to bring back the Supersonics. Payton II, whose father Gary Payton was a star player for the Supersonics in the 1990s, grew up in Seattle and has fond memories of the team's glory days. He is eager for the opportunity to don the Supersonics jersey and continue his family's legacy in the Emerald City.

Why it matters

The potential return of the Seattle Supersonics has generated significant excitement among NBA fans, and the addition of a player like Gary Payton II, who has a deep personal connection to the franchise, would only add to the anticipation. Payton II's willingness to join the expansion team highlights the enduring legacy of the Supersonics and the desire of players to be a part of the team's potential revival.

The details

Payton II has indicated that he would "probably request a trade immediately" if given the opportunity to join the Seattle Supersonics expansion team. As a young, defensive-minded player, Payton II would be an ideal fit for the new franchise, and his familiarity with the city and the team's history would make him a valuable asset both on and off the court.

  • The NBA is expected to announce expansion plans in the next two years, with the new teams set to begin play in the 2028-29 season.
  • Gary Payton II has been a member of the Golden State Warriors since 2021.

The players

Gary Payton II

A guard for the Golden State Warriors who has expressed a strong desire to join a potential Seattle Supersonics expansion team, following in the footsteps of his father, NBA legend Gary Payton.

Gary Payton

A former NBA player who spent the majority of his career with the Seattle Supersonics, leading the team to the 1996 NBA Finals and establishing himself as one of the franchise's all-time greats.

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What they’re saying

“I would probably request a trade immediately! Even though I love where I'm at, it's about being able to throw on that Sonics jersey before my career is over. I really hope they end up getting that done so I can go hoop for the hometown one time.”

— Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors Guard (Sporting News)

“A lot of Seattle days. I remember running around at practice, hanging out with George Karl, the coaching staff, and the players. Kevin Garnett used to come over for dinner every time he was in town. Allen Iverson and Vince Carter too. Just being a kid and being shocked by the superstars I had access to talk to. I have nothing but good memories of Seattle, from that 1996 Finals run with Michael Jordan all the way up until Dad got traded to Milwaukee for Ray Allen.”

— Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors Guard (Sporting News)

What’s next

The NBA is expected to make a decision on expansion in the next two years, with the new teams set to begin play in the 2028-29 season. If the Supersonics are one of the expansion teams, Gary Payton II will likely be a top target for the franchise as they look to build a competitive roster.

The takeaway

Gary Payton II's strong desire to join a potential Seattle Supersonics expansion team highlights the enduring legacy of the franchise and the personal connection that many players still have to the city and its basketball history. His willingness to leave the Warriors, a team he currently plays for, to don the Supersonics jersey demonstrates the pull that the team still has on NBA players, even decades after their departure from the league.