The Golden State Warriors are taking steps to address the absence left by Klay Thompson, a cornerstone of the franchise, by swiftly moving to bolster their roster.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Warriors intend to sign free-agent guard De’Anthony Melton to a one-year contract worth $12.8 million.
Melton entered the NBA when drafted by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft, subsequently traded to the Phoenix Suns before his rookie season.
During his tenure with Phoenix, he averaged five points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 19.7 minutes across 50 games, with 31 starts, during the 2018-19 season.
Following a trade to the Memphis Grizzlies in July 2019, Melton assumed an expanded role off the bench over the next three seasons.
De’Anthony Melton (Photo: NBA)
He gained recognition with Sixth Man of the Year award consideration in the 2021-22 season, averaging 9.3 points on 41.2 percent shooting from the field and 36.8 percent from beyond the arc.
His contributions included 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game over 185 appearances for the Grizzlies.
Most recently, Melton played with the Philadelphia 76ers, achieving a career-high scoring average of 11.1 points per game while maintaining his reputation as a defensive stalwart.
At 26 years old, Melton’s arrival in Golden State adds a significant defensive component as the team aims to reclaim its position as a contender for the NBA championship.
