Basketball

Golden State Warriors move quickly to replace Gary Payton II, signing Donta Divinsenzo to a 2-year contract

Early Golden State Warriors free agency news focused on their efforts to retain players from last season’s roster – but that changed on Friday afternoon, when the Dubs front office made their first significant move in the off-season by signing guard Donte Divinsenzo to a two-year contract. .

The signing, first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, is valued at 9.3 million with a second-year player option.

Divinsenzo provided depth to the Warriors backcourt which was hit after guard Gary Payton II chose to sign with the Portland Trail Blazers. Divinsenzo became a free agent after the Sacramento Kings refused him an offer earlier in the week. The former NCAA Final Four best player spent the first three years of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He started 66 games for the Bucks in the 2020-21 season, but missed most of the playoffs for the championship due to injury. He was sent to Sacramento in February 2022 in a four-team trade.

Devinsenzo averaged 9 points per game in the 2021-22 season, equal to the average of his career. However, the guard only played 42 games, as injuries put him back on track. Although he missed a crucial time in his first four years in the NBA due to injury, Divinsenzo still provides solid perimeter shooting and defense capabilities, qualities that the Warriors will need in the absence of Otto Porter Jr. and Payton.