Swarm and Sting
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Four guards the Charlotte Hornets can target in free agency

By Andrew McDaniel

May 11, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones (21) controls the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) defends during game five of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tyus Jones (21) controls the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) defends during game five of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) dunks and scores against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of game six in the 2022 NBA Finals at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II (0) dunks and scores against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of game six in the 2022 NBA Finals at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports /

Gary Payton II

Gary Payton II has had an underdog type of career so far and just helped the Golden State Warriors win an NBA Championship. He attended college at Salt Lake Community College and went on to transfer to Oregon State University. After his time at Oregon State, Payton went undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft and spent most of the next five years in the G League. Last season he finally solidified himself on an NBA team with the Warriors.

Payton II played in 71 regular season games for the Warriors, averaging 7.1 points per game with 3.5 rebounds per game while notching 1.4 steals per game. He made 61.6 percent of his field goal attempts and shot 35.8 percent from three-point range. He only averaged 17.6 minutes per game.

Payton’s stats do not jump off the page, but his athleticism and defensive ability are outstanding. He is a solid role player and does a lot of things that do not show up in the box score. He is not a traditional point guard, but he does fit a need for a Hornets team that could use a perimeter defender of Payton’s caliber.

If Payton II were to sign with the Hornets, fans can expect the overall perimeter defense to be better while he is on the court. Payton II can also contribute some of the highlight dunks that Hornets fans are accustomed to seeing. He can make the open three-pointer whenever it is given to him. Payton II could make for a solid pickup on the free agent market.