Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Gary Payton II (00) shoots the ball over Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook (0) and forward Wenyen Gabriel (35) during the second half at Moda Center. Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Agent denies Gary Payton II took Toradol shots to play for Blazers

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/11/23

Following a failed physical, putting Gary Payton II's return to the Golden State Warriors in jeopardy, reports emerged that the 30-year-old received Toradol shots, a strong painkiller, amid pressure from the Portland Trailblazers to play through injury.

On Saturday, Payton's agent, Aaron Goodwin, denied the report via NBA insider Chris Haynes.

"Despite of what's being reported, my client never took Toradol shots to be available for games during his time in Portland," Goodwin said.

Aaron Goodwin — the agent of Gary Payton II — tells @NBAonTNT/@BleacherReport that "despite of what's being reported, my client never took Toradol shots to be available for games during his time in Portland."
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 12, 2023

Even though Payton played in 14 of the last 16 games for the Trailblazers, according to Shams Charnia and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Warriors' exam after the trade revealed a core muscle injury that could require up to three months of recovery time. Payton had abdominal surgery last offseason, and after missing the first 35 games of the season, the Blazers reportedly pressured him to play through the pain.

Just in: A failed physical exam of Gary Payton II has placed the Golden State-Portland-Detroit-Atlanta four-team deal in serious jeopardy, sources tell me and @anthonyVslater. Payton's core muscle injury could sideline him for up to three months following a Warriors exam.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 11, 2023

The Warriors have until 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday to either accept the deal despite Payton's failed physical or back out of the trade entirely. Either way, the Warriors end up on the short end of the stick. They could allow the transaction to go through and miss out on any production Payton may have had if healthy or go through the uneasy situation of bringing back James Wiseman.

Golden State is understandably upset over the whole ordeal. You expect a player to be available for the stretch run when you make a deal at this point in the year. You don't expect to find out that the player you're acquiring has been battling through an injury that might take months to heal fully.

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