GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 29, 2025

Gary Payton

Media Conference

Q. Gary, I don't know if this is going to be considered crazy but we know it took some time probably. Have known for a while that you were coming back. But what was it like to wait it out to get to this point where you're officially signing?

GARY PAYTON II: It was great. Spent some time with my family, my friends. Took my mind off a lot and just enjoyed the summer. Got myself ready to come back and do it for year ten ^ ? Or two?

Q. Did you consider any other options at any point? Could have there have been a time you did not re-sign with the Warriors?

GARY PAYTON II: It would have been hard but there's always different scenarios and sufficient. So thank God that didn't come about. So that's why we're here.

Don't make it too easy on me.

Q. From a basketball perspective, what was your off-season like, and while you were a free agent, were you able to work out and spend some time with the guys recently?

GARY PAYTON II: I didn't get to spend some times with the guys but I did work out and still do what I did. Normal off-season. Continue getting better. Continue to work on little things. So, yeah, it was pretty much a normal off-season for me. Did a lot of traveling, though.

Q. What were some of those little things that were focal points?

GARY PAYTON II: Just continuing to take care of the body. Strengthen the body. Continue being available. I had a pretty good season last year being available. Just to build on that and keep adding armor to the body.

Q. This may be crazy but I'm going to ask it anyway. How challenging would it be for you guys to welcome Jonathan back to the equation, given how contentious this off-season has been?

GARY PAYTON II: I don't see no problem in it, you know. Get back, get to practice. Get back to what we were doing. I didn't see anything different.

What you eating over there?

Q. Sorry. Sorry to interrupt my breakfast here. How are you?

GARY PAYTON II: What's up? How you doing?

Q. Good. You've obviously been very accomplished at playing alongside Steph. It's well documented and we've talked about it many times. What do you see in his game and his habits? He's going into his 17th season now, to be playing the way he is at this stage, how do you see the evolution of his game the last few years, and what do you expect going forward?

GARY PAYTON II: Since 1, he's just grown and got better and better and better. I'm sure he's going to be better this year. Just the way he approaches his off-season, approaches taking care of his body, doing little things. Tweaking little things. Just to make him stronger and you know, give him the advantage as he already has a lot of advantage over most of the league.

So I'm sure he did what he needed to do this year to come back. I know he's getting to that cusp of deciding on if he want to keep going or not. So I know if he does, he's going to put everything he has into an off-season. I know he's ready and ready to go and built for 82. So excited to be with him, and excited to keep doing what we've been doing.

Q. (Off mic.)

GARY PAYTON II: Absolutely. He seems like he's putting on mass every year. He seems a little bit bigger now. I know he's ready to go. You know, just get all the troops around him and get ready?

Q. What did you learn about Jimmy last year and what can you build off having an entire training camp, preseason, etc., with him now?

GARY PAYTON II: Oh, it's huge. You know what he does. You know what he demands. It's easy to play with him. Just similar to Steph. He's got to have two on him on the courts, on the post. Just make it easier for him. Find an open space. Give him outlets. And if he doesn't, let him work and do what he does on the block and play from there.

Q. Which of your teammates do you think would excel in your skateboard league?

GARY PAYTON II: Which teammate would be a good skater? Surprisingly, I would probably go Pat Spencer. I feel like Pat just has that swag, you know. He can really do anything. Pat, yeah, I believe Pat and maybe Jimmy is kind of on the heavier side of a skateboard but I feel like Jimmy can surprise a lot of people.

Q. Can we pick a non-White guy?

GARY PAYTON II: I said Jimmy (laughter).

All right. Let me pick another. Let me see. Shout-out Jimmy, though.

God, I'm going to go with Melt for sure -- wait, you tricked me. Just crazy. I'm going to go Draymond. I always go Dray. Help him teach some things.

Q. I'm Francis. I'm new to ABC, new to the Bay Area. I am that person in the newsroom, I walk in, I try to lift the energy up. I can sense you're that person. Is that who you are in the locker room or is that someone else??

GARY PAYTON II: What was your name again?

Q. Francis. Like San Francisco.

GARY PAYTON II: Hi, Francis, I'm Gary.

Absolutely. Me and Buddy kind of bring the energy. You know, start the day off, say good morning, get everybody going.

You never know, people go through things. Show them a smile; you might get one back. That actually is more contagious than what you think. Just smile, be a good person, have a good time.

You guys are great.