Inside The Warriors

Former Warriors Player Could Make Unexpected Return Next Season

Former Golden State Warriors player could make unexpected return to the team this offseason
Nov 12, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) loses control of the ball next to Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (8) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Nov 12, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) loses control of the ball next to Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (8) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

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The Golden State Warriors entered the 2024-25 NBA season a whole lot different than how they ended it. Looking back from their first game of the regular season to the last game of the postseason, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis were the only two players to start in both games. What led to that was a series of trades, injuries, and falling out of the rotation.

Now, following their playoff elimination by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Warriors will look to retool their roster this offseason through trades and free agency, given they only have a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Therefore, a new report indicates that a former player from earlier in the year could make his way back to the team.

According to The Athletic's Anthony Slater, the Warriors could look to target ex-guard De'Anthony Melton in free agency this summer. Melton was on a one-year, $12.8 million contract this season when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Dennis Schroder, but it was clear he fit the Warriors well during his time there.

Playing only six games this past season with the Warriors before suffering a torn left ACL, Melton averaged 10.3 points per game and shot 37.1% from three. His top performance came against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win.

The addition of Melton would give the Warriors a solid guard rotation around Steph Curry, featuring the likes of Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, and Gary Payton II. As mentioned by Slater, it would likely be a veteran minimum deal, with Melton looking to prove himself after the season-ending injury.

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Liam Willerup
LIAM WILLERUP

A 2024 graduate of the University of Miami, Liam spent several years covering the University’s football and basketball teams. An avid basketball fan, you can find Liam on X @theleftyliam where he’s constantly sharing his thoughts.

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