Warriors Add Veteran Guard Following Klay Thompson Departure: Report
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 10: DeAnthony Melton #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket against Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on January 10, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Warriors have quickly pivoted to add a guard in free agency.
The Golden State Warriors have quickly pivoted following the reported departure of All-Star Klay Thompson.
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, the Warriors are signing veteran guard De'Anthony Melton to a one-year deal worth $12.8 million.
Melton, 26, has spent six seasons in the NBA across the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies, and, most recently, the Philadelphia 76ers. He averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals across 26.9 minutes per game last season.
Melton was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft out of the University of Southern California. He's been a second-round success story, developing into a key role player on multiple contenders.
Melton has consistently improved in each of his first six years in the NBA and has averaged double-digit points per game in the last three seasons. Melton is a career 36.9 percent shooter from deep, which will be a great fit in a Warriors offense that loves to shoot the long ball.
Melton isn't exactly a replacement for Thompson, one of the best shooters in NBA history who is reportedly heading to Dallas on a three-year, $50 million deal in a multi-team sign-and-trade. However, he plays great defense and can shoot the ball, which should be a solid fit in Golden State in what will likely be an off-the-bench role.
The Warriors, Mavericks, and Charlotte Hornets are also continuing to work out deals in the sign-and-trade for Thompson. Those are the three teams reported to be in on the trade for now, but there could be additional teams. Nonetheless, the Warriors will get something back in that trade for losing Thompson.
The Warriors will now continue to look to turn their team into a contender without Thompson and without Chris Paul, who was waived on Sunday and shortly thereafter signed with the San Antonio Spurs.
A majority of the big free agents are off the board, but the Warriors could look to make a trade to add another star alongside Stephen Curry. The Warriors have been attempting to trade Andrew Wiggins, but thus far, nothing has come to fruition. The Warriors have tons of great trade assets including young players Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.
The Warriors reportedly made a blockbuster trade offer to the Los Angeles Clippers for Paul George, but the Clippers declined it, and then lost George for nothing in free agency when he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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