Breaking News: “Warriors’ $13 Million Signing Called Free Agency’s Most Underrated Move”
The Golden State Warriors may have lost Klay Thompson in free agency, but they’re still making a strong impact this offseason.
According to Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, the Warriors’ signing of De’Anthony Melton to the mid-level exception (MLE) has been highlighted as one of the top-10 “sneaky-good” moves of the summer.
Swartz noted that Melton, 26, is a standout defender when healthy, with his 1.6 steals per game ranking fifth in the league if he had played enough games to qualify. As Stephen Curry approaches his 37th season, Melton’s addition is seen as a significant boost to ease Curry’s defensive load.
Melton’s defensive skills, combined with his three-point shooting and playmaking, notably improved the Philadelphia 76ers’ performance, as they were 10.3 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court last season.
De’Anthony Melton Could Be a Valuable Upgrade Over Klay Thompson for Warriors
De’Anthony Melton Could Outshine Klay Thompson for Warriors
Losing Klay Thompson was a devastating emotional blow to the Bay Area after his illustrious 13-year tenure, marked by six NBA Finals appearances, five All-Star selections, and four championships. However, in terms of on-court fit and performance, there’s an argument that the younger De’Anthony Melton may actually represent an upgrade over the future Hall-of-Famer.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps discussed on the “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast on July 2 that if Melton’s back issues are resolved, he could be a better fit for the Warriors this season compared to Thompson. Bontemps suggested that Melton could potentially start alongside Stephen Curry at shooting guard, a position recently filled by rookie Brandin Podziemski during the 2023-24 season.
“De’Anthony Melton is a dynamite defender and a near 40% shooter from beyond the arc,” Bontemps emphasized. “His signing with the Warriors on a one-year, full mid-level exception deal is a clear bet on himself to have a standout year and secure a larger contract next season.”
Melton’s journey in the NBA started when the Houston Rockets drafted him with the 46th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, later trading him to the Phoenix Suns. After a stint in Phoenix, he moved to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019, where he continued to develop before joining the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade in 2022. In Philadelphia, Melton’s role expanded significantly, averaging 10.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting nearly 38% from three-point range over two seasons.
Despite missing much of last season due to back problems, Melton’s potential impact prompted the Warriors to sign him to a one-year deal worth nearly $13 million using their full mid-level exception.
