Poole, NBA Twitter have awesome reaction to GP2-Dubs reunion

Almost seven-and-a-half months ago, the Warriors parted ways with fan favorite Gary Payton II.

But on Thursday, they made things right again when they reportedly reunited with the 30-year-old defensive star who shined in big ways for the Warriors last season and whose inspiring story stole the hearts of all of Dub Nation.

A source confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area's Dalton Johnson that Golden State acquired Payton II in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. In return, the Warriors sent Portland five second-round draft picks and Kevin Knox, who they had just received in a deal with the Detroit Pistons in exchange for James Wiseman, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Thursday's 12 p.m. PT trade deadline kept Warriors general manager Bob Myers and owner Joe Lacob busy all morning, and while the approach never is easy, it appears Dub Nation is more than happy with the result. 

Jordan Poole, too. 

Jordan Poole reacts to the Gary Payton II news pic.twitter.com/41njr9Kjv8

— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) February 9, 2023

Poole and Payton II did a jersey swap after Wednesday night's Blazers-Warriors game. Now, they are teammates once again. 

JP and GP2 swapped jerseys after the game 💯 pic.twitter.com/QA1jIGQrta

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 9, 2023

Warriors fans and others around the league, too, reacted to the news. 

Dub Nation when they hear GP2 is back 😂 pic.twitter.com/skR9c8CESh

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 9, 2023

Welcome back legend @Garydwayne pic.twitter.com/yvV9ei3Kbk

— No Context Warriors (@NoContext_GSW) February 9, 2023

Letting GP2 go last summer was not a popular decision inside the walls of Chase Center. Getting him back, healthy and happy, makes a lot of folks happy

— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) February 9, 2023

Welcome back to one of my favorite Warriors ever, GP2. pic.twitter.com/uhmZwbs9ZB

— Steph Curry Muse (@StephMuse_) February 9, 2023

GP2 never wanted to leave...

— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) February 9, 2023

i cried for nothing but it's okay. welcome home @Garydwayne 🫂☺️ pic.twitter.com/9vIwacFGFp

— َ (@pooleandone) February 9, 2023

OUR FAMILY @Garydwayne IS BACK pic.twitter.com/FgWnFJwvo5

— . (@stephenist) February 9, 2023

AYE YO @Garydwayne BACK TO THE BAY BABYYYYYY ‼️ #DubNation pic.twitter.com/A72HdCOgt8

— ˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ (@jinx_mcs) February 9, 2023

Back to the bay @Garydwayne pic.twitter.com/s0O5jAm3ne

— Justin (@jspidey33) February 9, 2023

GP2 is back in Golden State 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pYk8H143bo

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 9, 2023

Welcome home, @Garydwayne. Maybe we can find your hat from the parade 😅 pic.twitter.com/xjSI9QoatF

— Marc Grandi (@MarcGrandi) February 9, 2023

When the Warriors hosted the Trail Blazers earlier this season, coach Steve Kerr talked about how much he loves Payton II and added that he wished GP2 was still on the team. 

"Everyone loves Gary," Kerr told reporters back in October. "We miss him but we couldn't be happier for him. He's been toiling away for a long time in this league, and to earn that contract couldn't happen to a better guy. It'll be nice to see him out there tonight, wish he was on our side but this is the NBA and this is how it works. So we're thrilled for him." 

RELATED: Warriors admit mistake, abandon vision by trading Wiseman

Well, it looks like Kerr's wish came true. 

And now, Payton II's back home where he belongs, and he'll be welcomed back with many, many open arms.

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