Gary Payton

Warriors coach Steve Kerr used 10 players in the first quarter Sunday against the Chicago Bulls. Gary Payton II started the second quarter and made it 11 Warriors to see the floor, the same number that saw time in the first half. The 23-year-old who signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract in restricted free agency to return to the Warriors a day into training camp received his first healthy DNP-CD (Did Not Play Coach s Decision) of the 2025-26 NBA season in a 123-91 wire-to-wire road win against the Chicago Bulls.

Butler is back after a two-game absence, which is good news for a team that remains without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. His return likely means fewer minutes for Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield, with both players offering limited fantasy value in their respective roles.

Butler III sat out the first leg of Golden State's back-to-back set on Saturday, but he'll return on Sunday to help Golden State go for a second win in as many days. He should return to the starting five, which means fewer minutes will be available for Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield.

Initially questionable for Saturday's game, Butler is officially out. Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield are among the Warriors whose minutes stand to increase with Butler, among others, sidelined for Saturday's game. Hield offers a higher fantasy ceiling, but the need to account for Donovan Mitchell may lead to Payton getting more minutes.

Melton logged 21 minutes on Thursday in his first game in over a year, and he played well. He will likely end up on the injury report often this season, and his absence would likely open up extra minutes for Seth Curry and Gary Payton II.