Golden State Chooses Offensive Firepower Over Defensive Grit as Gary Payton II Departs, Signaling Bold Shift in Warriors’ Philosophy

The Golden State Warriors have long walked the razor’s edge between electrifying offense and suffocating defense, a formula that has brought them four NBA championships in the past decade. Yet as the 2025 offseason unfolds, the franchise seems to be tipping the scales—decisively. In a move that has sparked debate across Dub Nation and the broader NBA landscape, the Warriors have parted ways with defensive specialist Gary Payton II, a decision that underscores a new direction in team construction.

Gary Payton II, affectionately known as “Young Glove” for his ferocious defensive tenacity and lineage as the son of Hall of Famer Gary Payton, brought a level of perimeter defense and hustle that became symbolic of the Warriors’ heart during their 2022 and 2023 playoff runs. His ability to guard multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes, and energize the Chase Center crowd turned him into a cult hero, even if his name wasn’t always in headlines.

But as Golden State’s front office—led by general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr.—enters the twilight of the Stephen Curry era, they’ve opted for an identity shift that speaks volumes about their ambitions and anxieties. With Payton II now reportedly heading to the Eastern Conference on a mid-level exception deal, the Warriors’ decision appears to be more philosophical than financial.

An Emotional Departure

For Payton II, the exit marks another chapter in a resilient, up-and-down journey. After being waived multiple times early in his career and grinding through G-League stints, he found a true home in Golden State. His breakout season in 2021-22 helped the Warriors capture the NBA title, and after a brief stint in Portland, he returned to the Bay in 2023. He was once again a key piece in Golden State’s defensive schemes, especially in small-ball lineups where his ability to guard taller players allowed the team to switch freely without fear of mismatches.

Fans admired Payton II’s work ethic, tenacity, and unselfishness. He didn’t need plays drawn up for him. He wasn’t hunting shots. He simply played his role, and played it hard. The Warriors faithful understood his value in ways box scores could never fully illustrate.

So when news broke that the Warriors were moving on—reportedly favoring younger offensive-minded players like Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and recent signee Malik Beasley—the response was emotional. Social media flooded with tributes and laments. “GP2 was the soul of this defense,” one longtime fan tweeted. “This feels like a culture shift we’re not ready for.”

And perhaps that’s exactly what the front office wants.

Embracing Offensive Firepower

Golden State’s decision appears rooted in a broader, strategic shift. In recent seasons, the Warriors’ offense has shown signs of stagnation. Stephen Curry remains a generational talent, but with Klay Thompson’s decline, Draymond Green’s inconsistent availability, and Jordan Poole’s departure in 2024, there’s been an increasing burden on Curry to do everything on that end.

By prioritizing offensive weapons, the Warriors seem to be acknowledging a sobering truth: the defensive dynamos that once made them elite may no longer be enough in a league now dominated by jumbo-sized wings and hyper-efficient scoring. They’ve added pieces who can shoot, cut, and create—hoping to ease Curry’s load and unlock a more fluid, high-tempo attack.

Podziemski, entering his second year, has shown promise as a versatile guard with an advanced offensive IQ. Moody, given more playing time, could evolve into the 3-and-D wing Golden State always hoped he’d become. And Beasley, though a liability defensively, is a volume shooter who thrives in spacing-dependent systems. These are not Gary Payton II clones. They’re the opposite. But that appears to be the point.

Steve Kerr’s Calculated Gamble

Head coach Steve Kerr has always preached balance. His championship teams were predicated on equal parts flair and grit. So this shift toward an offense-first roster might seem like a contradiction. But Kerr, ever the pragmatist, has also adapted with the times before—remember, it was his idea to start Andre Iguodala in the 2015 Finals, a bold move that turned the series.

Sources close to the coaching staff say Kerr is fully on board with the change. With aging stars and limited flexibility, maximizing offensive efficiency may be the team’s best path to another deep playoff run. Kerr reportedly sees the offense as easier to scale around Curry’s still-elite shooting and decision-making than trying to re-create a top-five defense with aging personnel.

Still, this gamble carries risk. Without Payton II, the team’s best on-ball defender is arguably Andrew Wiggins—whose health and engagement have wavered the past two seasons. Jonathan Kuminga has shown flashes defensively but lacks Payton’s discipline. Chris Paul is gone. Draymond Green is one suspension or injury away from missing critical time. The defensive safety net has thinned considerably.

What This Means for Curry

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this decision lies in its implications for Stephen Curry. The two-time MVP turns 37 in March, and while his game has aged gracefully, he can’t be expected to cover for defensive holes or generate offense entirely on his own.

Golden State appears to be signaling that they want to give Curry the tools to close out his career on his terms. That means surrounding him with shooters, cutters, and playmakers—not defensive specialists who clog spacing or lack offensive rhythm. In essence, the Warriors are going all-in on a system that revolves around Curry’s offensive gravity.

Whether this ultimately honors or burdens Curry remains to be seen. If the experiment fails and the team falls short defensively, critics will question whether shedding someone like Payton II was a misstep. But if the Warriors rediscover their scoring magic and make another postseason push, it could be viewed as a necessary evolution.

Around the League: Reactions and Implications

NBA insiders have weighed in with mixed reactions. ESPN’s Zach Lowe described the move as “a calculated but risky reshuffle that could either spark a renaissance or reveal deeper issues.” On TNT, Charles Barkley was less diplomatic. “They’re getting soft,” Barkley said. “Payton brought toughness. You don’t just replace that with guys who shoot threes.”

Still, there’s precedent for success. The Denver Nuggets leaned heavily into offensive cohesion en route to their 2023 title. The Celtics made a similar pivot in 2024, swapping out Marcus Smart’s defense for Jrue Holiday’s balance—and it worked. Teams around the league are prioritizing floor spacing and pace more than ever.

That doesn’t mean defense is irrelevant. But it suggests that Golden State is banking on being good enough defensively while chasing elite offensive output. Payton II didn’t fit that vision—not because of what he lacked, but because of what the Warriors now prioritize more.

A Legacy Moment for the Front Office

For Mike Dunleavy Jr., this is a defining moment. Since taking over for Bob Myers, he’s made bold but controversial choices—like trading Poole, extending Green, and betting on internal development. Letting go of Payton II, a proven contributor, to lean into offense-first role players may determine how his tenure is remembered.

The Warriors are no longer the wide-eyed underdogs of 2015. They’re a proud, aging dynasty fighting off irrelevance. Every roster decision now carries magnified weight. Every season might be Curry’s last at an MVP level. And with the Western Conference loaded with younger, faster teams, the margin for error is razor thin.

Gary Payton II wasn’t the flashiest Warrior, but he was beloved—and more importantly, he was dependable. His departure is about more than one player. It’s about a philosophical shift at a pivotal moment. Golden State is choosing offensive ceiling over defensive floor, believing that in today’s NBA, scoring might be the best defense.

Whether that belief proves visionary or short-sighted will play out in real time this season. But one thing is certain: the Warriors are not standing still. They are evolving, boldly and perhaps riskily, toward what they hope is one last championship chase before the curtain falls on a golden era.