Warriors sign guard De'Anthony Melton: report

Warriors to sign guard De'Anthony Melton with newfound cap space, adding a defensive-minded point guard to their lineup.

The Golden State Warriors are making moves to bolster their roster by signing guard De'Anthony Melton with their newfound cap flexibility, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic. With the departures of Klay Thompson and Chris Paul, the Warriors are now eligible to use the $12.8 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, and they plan to allocate it all towards Melton.

De'Anthony Melton, a 26-year-old defensive-minded point guard with a career 3-point shooting percentage of 36.9%, brings a valuable skill set to the Warriors. Despite being limited to 38 games last season due to back issues while playing for the 76ers, Melton has a history of durability. The 6-foot-2 Los Angeles native averaged 11.1 points, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in his most recent season.

Melton made a significant impact during the 2022 playoffs against the Warriors when he was with the Grizzlies, showcasing his abilities as a versatile player. In the Western Conference semifinals, he averaged 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game.

With the Warriors, Melton is expected to serve as a backup point guard while also having the flexibility to play alongside star guard Steph Curry. The current backcourt depth chart for Golden State includes Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II, and Moses Moody, with Payton and Moody capable of playing multiple positions.

The reported signing of Klay Thompson is anticipated to be a sign-and-trade deal, which will hard-cap the Warriors at the $178 million first apron. With Melton's one-year, $12.8 million contract, Golden State's payroll is approximately $158 million, though this figure could change depending on any players acquired in the Thompson transaction. The addition of Melton adds depth and versatility to the Warriors' roster as they look to compete in the upcoming season.