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Feb 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) moves the ball against the Boston Celtics during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Lakers likely want to steer clear of undersized wings who are declining rapidly as perimeter shooters.
Ideally, the 17-time NBA champions would love to add an above-average perimeter-oriented floor spacer who looks the part on the hardwood. If that proves to be an unattainable goal, Lakers insider Jovan Buha doesn’t despise the idea of the franchise pursuing the 6-foot-2 son of a former Boston Celtics Hall of Fame guard and NBA champion who shot less than 30% from beyond the arc last season.
“Bruce Brown and Gary Payton II are more of these power forwards on offense but guards on defense, so they check off a unique box with their profiles,” Buha said Monday.
Size may not be on Payton’s side, but that hasn’t stopped the Oregon State product from performing as a valuable anticipatory defender, off-ball cutter, and overall teammate. Payton’s contributions helped the Warriors capture a championship in 2021-22 despite not entering the season as title favorites.
Payton joined the Portland Trail Blazers for the start of the 2022-23 campaign before eventually returning to the Dubs. The 33-year-old averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per contest in 2025-26, but didn’t shoot the ball well from three for the second consecutive season (29.1% after connecting on 32.6% of three-point jumpers in 2024-25).
As solid as Payton is, the Lakers will probably look elsewhere for a roster-elevating wing this summer and rightfully so.
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