Golden State Warriors: Key rotation player inching closer to a possible return

The Golden State Warriors may need a spark down the stretch and there is a key rotation player that is inching closer to a return that could potentially fill that need for the team.

The defending champion Golden State Warriors have experienced quite an inconsistent season thus far. They’ve high both highs of highs and lows of lows. The biggest problem is that they’ve been extremely inconsistent and have been battling injuries and unavailability nearly all season long.

And with a few weeks remaining in the regular season, there isn’t much margin for error for the Warriors. With 13 regular-season games remaining for the Warriors, they are clinging to the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings. They are only 1.5 games back of the Kevin Durant-less Phoenix Suns for the fourth seed but are also just 2.5 games ahead of the 11th-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

In short, there’s a lot that can change between now and the start of the playoffs. But the Warriors do have some good news. A key rotation piece for the Warriors could be on the verge of a return from injury. According to a recent report, Gary Payton II, who the Warriors reacquired at the NBA Trade Deadine (from the Portland Trail Blazers) is set to be reevaluated in 10 days. That means that his return to the court could be just on the horizon.

What role will Gary Payton II fill for the Golden State Warriors?

Payton only appeared in 15 games this season for the Blazers and was traded to the Warriors at the deadline. The deal nearly fell through as Payton failed a physical, but the Warriors accepted the trade anyway.

Payton has been rehabbing from a lingering abdomen injury but the hope is that he could return before the playoffs. And if so, he could provide a spark for the Warriors off the bench in the backcourt.

Last season for the Warriors, he played a vital role for the champions. Payton averaged seven points and three rebounds per game on 66 percent shooting from the field and 53 percent shooting from 3-point range for the Warriors during their postseason run en route to winning the championship.

Payton will help solidify the team’s backcourt and give the Warriors another feisty defender that they’ll likely need heading into the playoffs.

The Warriors may need a spark if they hope to make another deep playoff run. Could that come in the way of Payton?