Why Gary Payton II is the perfect free agent for the Dallas Mavericks

Why Gary Payton II is the perfect free agent for Dallas Mavericks: 2. Shined in playoffs

Payton II fractured his elbow in Game 2 of the Warriors' second-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies, but that did not stop him from making a significant postseason impact. The 29-year-old kept coming off the bench and getting right in the middle of the action.

In Game 3 of the first-round series against the Nuggets, Payton went three for three from 3-point range as Golden State was plus-10 in his 14.5 minutes on the floor in a five-point road win. He also had 15 points, three assists, two steals, and one block in the clinching Game 5.

He did it in Game 1 against the Grizzlies too with eight points, seven rebounds, one steal, and one block in 23.2 minutes.

Payton II did not return until Game 2 of the NBA Finals, but it was like he never left. First game back, he went for seven points, three rebounds, and three assists as the Warriors outscored Boston by 15 in his 25.3 minutes. The Mitten was plus-34 over the final two contests as the Dubs clinched the championship.

The Dallas Mavericks were forced to play Reggie Bullock and Dorian Finney-Smith massive minutes each game as they defend the opposition’s best scorers on a nightly basis. By adding Gary Payton II, the Mavs would be getting a proven postseason performer that can guard the top ball-handlers.