Intercepting the Hu Warriors, Rockets are interested in 32-year-old champion guard, second round pick is expected to replace Xie Pode

It has been a whole month since the offseason officially started. During this period, all teams were ready to go in the transfer market and were busy for the adjustment of lineup and improvement of strength in the new season. According to salary expert Keith Smith, the current vacancy situation of the league's teams, people were surprised to find that after experiencing a series of seemingly "savory" operations by Rockets general manager Stone, the team's roster is still not filled, and there is still a standard contract left.

Faced with such a situation, the influential Houston media "Spacecityscoop" put forward a suggestion to sign free agents, former champion guard Gary Payton II. Once the proposal was put forward, it was like dropping a bombshell in the sports world, triggering widespread and heated discussion. Many fans, experts and commentators have expressed their views, some think this is a wise move that can effectively make up for the Rockets' back shortcomings; while others are skeptical about this, worried about Payton II's state and adaptability.

At the same time, the Golden State Warriors are also in some dilemma. Because Kumingga's contract renewal problem has not been properly resolved, the Warriors' subsequent reinforcement work has fallen into a state of stagnation. As a potential new star in the team's future, its contract renewal involves many factors such as salary structure and team planning, and management needs to carefully weigh the trade-offs. However, despite such a challenge, the Warriors don't seem to be worried about the new season. According to the team reporter, champion center Horford and former Warriors former player Melton have reached an oral franchise agreement with the management. In addition, the team management has focused on inviteing Gary Payton II to return to Golden State. Dunleavy is well aware of Payton II's value in the team, and he hopes Payton can contribute to the Warriors' championship journey again. However, it should be noted that although such remarks indicate the intentional relationship between the characters, there are variables before everything is officially announced. After all, the Golden State Warriors' salary has exceeded the second rich line, which means that their salary operation space is very limited, and it may be difficult to provide Payton II with a more generous salary.

In contrast, the Houston Rockets have different situations. The Rockets still hold trade specials, which provides some flexibility for them to complete their final signing. Gary Payton II, 32, has made his career full of resilience and fighting spirit as an undraft. In the playoffs last season, he averaged only 16 minutes of playing time, but his overall performance was remarkable. On the offensive end, his three-point shooting ability is an important weapon for the team to open up space; on the defensive end, his active defensive attitude and excellent stealing skills can often disrupt the opponent's offensive rhythm. It is undeniable that Payton II can contribute efficiently to the team with limited playing time. As an old man in the past, Payton played for the Rockets for a short time, which made him no stranger to the city and team environment of Houston. Considering Jaylen Green's departure, the Rockets have certain hidden dangers on the back line. Putting aside Van Jordan, head coach Uduka intends to play a more important role in the new season of the 24-year Tanhua Show. However, as the seventh son of the Rockets, he lacks experience in the competition and is unable to fight in high-intensity leagues for a long time, which makes his performance unsatisfactory. Whether it is in offensive stability or defense awareness, there is still a lot of room for improvement. By contrast, Payton II's rich experience is particularly precious. In addition to excellent defense, Payton also has stable three-point shooting ability. While helping the team open up the offensive space, he can also form a good cooperation with Alperen Sengon, a big Rockets who is good at passing balls in the interior, to improve the team's overall offensive efficiency and fully complement each other. If the Rockets can sign him, it will undoubtedly enhance the team's competitiveness.