De’Anthony Melton, former Philadelphia 76ers guard, has agreed to join the Golden State Warriors on a one-year, $12.8 million contract using the midlevel exception, as reported by The Athletic and confirmed by ESPN sources.
Melton, 26, spent the last two seasons with the 76ers after being acquired in a trade during the 2022 NBA Draft. In his first year with Philadelphia, Melton played a career-high 77 games, starting 58 of them. He averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting nearly 40% from three-point range.
The 2023-2024 season saw Melton struggle with injuries, particularly back issues that limited him to just 38 appearances. His production remained steady at 11.1 points per game, but his field goal percentage dropped to 39%.
For the Warriors, De’Anthony Melton addresses two key priorities: improved perimeter defense and additional shooting. As a career 36.9% three-point shooter and versatile defender, he fits well with Golden State’s needs. Melton is expected to provide backcourt depth following the departure of Klay Thompson and the release of Chris Paul.
Additionally, Melton’s move to Golden State is a chance for him to prove himself on a short-term deal. If he performs well, he could potentially enter free agency next year in a stronger position. The Warriors will be Melton’s fourth NBA team, following stints with the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, and Philadelphia 76ers.
