The Golden State Warriors are looking to make a splash in free agency or through trades this offseason, but first things first: they have to make sure to keep some of their own key players. And so, two days after agreeing to an extension with Kristaps Porziņģis, the Warriors have reportedly re-signed guard De’Anthony Melton.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Melton’s new deal is for two years and $11 million, with a player option in the second year. It’s a pay bump of a few million for Melton, who
had just declined a player option that would pay him $3.3 million in the upcoming season.
Melton has been open about enjoying his time with the Warriors and hoping to stay long term. He first signed with the team ahead of the 2024-25 season, but suffered a season-ending ACL injury early in the year, and was later traded. Despite that, he returned to the Warriors a year ago, and fit right in, averaging 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, in 23.0 minutes. Melton’s three-point stroke fell off dramatically last year (he shot 29.4% from deep, after entering the year with a career 36.9% mark), but he did a wonderful job of running the team when Steph Curry was on the bunch (or sidelined with an injury).
During a hot stretch late in the year, it looked like Melton had played himself well out of the Warriors price range. But a cold stretch to end the season, mixed with his injury concerns, kept him at a price that the Warriors could afford. Given his skills, veteran reliability, and respect within the locker room, Steve Kerr and Mike Dunleavy Jr. have to be thrilled that Melton is returning.
Of course, the Warriors bringing back two of their older, oft-injured players, does nothing to change the biggest issue facing the team: age and injuries. But there’s plenty of time left in the offseason to address that.
