The championship hero is being pursued by four teams, and the Warriors still have no intention of extending his contract early, making it highly likely that he will leave the team.

This offseason, the Warriors not only failed to strengthen their roster, but they also lost a three-time champion veteran. Looney's departure has indeed saddened many long-time Warriors fans. In fact, there are other free agents besides Looney this offseason. The Warriors also have Kuminga and Payton as free agents. Kuminga's contract issues have been a concern for the Warriors, but they have yet to make a decision regarding Payton's future, as they haven't completed an early extension with him.

However, Payton does not seem to lack suitors. As a former championship contributor for the Warriors, he is currently attracting interest from four teams: the Lakers, Suns, Heat, and Bucks. Payton is a player with very distinct characteristics; his defensive abilities are outstanding, and he excels at pressuring opposing guards. However, his weaknesses are also quite apparent—his outside shooting is poor, lacking stability. On the court, he can only rely on cuts and finishing at the rim to score. This is also why the Warriors are hesitant, as Payton's current situation with the team is relatively awkward.

Firstly, Payton is getting older, and his defensive capabilities on the perimeter have declined. In the Warriors' system, lacking outside shooting is particularly detrimental, as he cannot help create space for his teammates. When he shares the court with Curry, defenders tend to collapse their coverage on him, resulting in a congested playing space for the Warriors. This is why the Warriors are reluctant to keep players who lack shooting ability; they cannot assist Curry in creating space, and the Warriors are one of the teams that need space the most in the league. Thus, the Warriors have not yet completed an early extension with Payton.

Barring any surprises, Payton is expected to leave the Warriors this offseason to join another team. However, many fans believe that Payton may not be suited for development with other teams. Previously, he left the Warriors to join the Trail Blazers, but his performance there over two seasons was quite average. Upon returning to the Warriors, his performance improved significantly. Many fans feel that only Kerr knows how to utilize him effectively. He truly excels in the Warriors' environment. Nevertheless, for a player of Payton's age, securing a decent contract is currently the most important thing. I wonder what fans think about this?