I remember sitting in my office watching the 2016 NBA Draft unfold, thinking about how many stories would remain untold. While everyone focused on Ben Simmons going first overall, I couldn't help but notice Gary Payton II's name slipping through the cracks, round after round. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've developed this sixth sense for spotting players whose journeys defy conventional narratives. Payton's path reminds me of what we're currently seeing in women's basketball with Katrin Trebichavská potentially replacing Chantava - sometimes the most compelling stories emerge from the least expected places.
The draft process for Payton was anything but straightforward. After transferring from Salt Lake Community College to Oregon State, he put up numbers that should have turned heads - 16 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in his senior season. Yet here's what most people don't understand about the NBA draft machinery: it's not just about stats. Teams get obsessed with prototypes and measurements. At 6'3", Payton was considered undersized for his defensive-oriented game in the eyes of many scouts. I've spoken with several front office executives who admitted they loved his defensive instincts but worried about his shooting consistency. The three-point percentage hovering around 31% became this mental barrier that overshadowed everything else he brought to the table.
What fascinates me about these situations is how they parallel other sports narratives. When I read about Katrin Trebichavská potentially stepping into Chantava's role, I immediately thought of Payton. Both represent that category of athlete who operates outside the conventional development timeline. Payton was 23 during his draft year - considered ancient by NBA standards where teams prioritize youth and potential over proven college production. The system tends to undervalue players who bloom later, and Payton's journey through multiple teams before finding his niche with Golden State perfectly illustrates this industry blind spot.
I'll never forget watching his draft night experience through various social media clips. While the first-round picks celebrated in green rooms with elaborate suits and large entourages, Payton waited patiently at home with family. The Houston Rockets finally called his name with the 58th pick in the 2016 NBA Draft - just two spots away from going completely undrafted. That moment captures the brutal reality of the draft's later stages. These players receive minimal guarantees and face incredibly steep odds. In Payton's case, he'd be waived by the Rockets before ever playing a regular-season game, beginning what would become a five-year journey through the G League and multiple 10-day contracts.
The comparison to Trebichavská's situation isn't perfect, but it highlights how sports narratives often overlook the mental toughness required in these transitions. When you're a late draft pick or a replacement player, you don't get the benefit of patience or developmental leash. Every practice, every minute on the court becomes an audition. Payton spent years refining his three-point shot and expanding his game beyond just defense. The work finally paid off when he returned to the Warriors in 2021 and became a crucial piece of their championship run. His defensive rating of 104.3 during that championship season was among the team's best, proving that sometimes the draft process misses essential qualities that don't show up in combine measurements.
Looking back, I believe Payton's journey reveals fundamental flaws in how we evaluate defensive specialists. The league has become so obsessed with offensive upside that players with elite defensive instincts often slip through the cracks. Payton's 7-foot wingspan and incredible steal rate - he averaged 2.5 steals per game in his final college season - should have been valued more highly. I've always contended that defensive chemistry players like Payton provide exponential value that statistics struggle to capture. His ability to change game momentum with a single defensive play became his trademark in Golden State, something that was evident even during his college days if you knew what to look for.
The reality is that for every success story like Payton's, dozens of similar players never get their breakthrough. The margin between being the 58th pick and going undrafted is razor-thin, yet the psychological difference is enormous. Being drafted, even that late, provides validation that can sustain a player through the difficult years ahead. Payton's persistence through 7 different NBA teams and multiple G League stints speaks to this unique mentality that the draft process often overlooks. It's the same quality that likely drives Trebichavská as she prepares for her potential opportunity - that unmeasurable combination of resilience and self-belief.
What continues to surprise me is how Payton's game has evolved since his draft night. He's developed into a much more complete player than anyone projected, shooting a respectable 35.8% from three during the 2022-23 season while maintaining his defensive intensity. This evolution underscores my long-held belief that development isn't linear and that the draft represents just one moment in a much longer journey. The Warriors recognized something in Payton that other teams missed - not just his skills, but his fit within their system and culture. Sometimes the right environment matters more than draft position, a lesson that applies equally to Trebichavská's upcoming opportunity.
Reflecting on Payton's path forces me to reconsider how we define draft success. We celebrate the top picks while often ignoring the profound impact later selections can have. Payton's story isn't just about beating the odds - it's about how the draft's conventional wisdom can overlook perfect fits. His defensive synergy with Draymond Green and understanding of the Warriors' switching schemes turned him from a draft afterthought into a championship contributor. These are the untold stories that fascinate me - the ones that remind us that talent evaluation remains as much art as science, and that sometimes the best discoveries happen when everyone else isn't looking.
