While the Warriors are one of the only teams in the NBA that have yet to reach a contract agreement with a free agent this offseason, they’re viewed by numerous rival clubs as the “overwhelming favorite” to land Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Golden State already has over $170MM in guaranteed money on its books for nine players, so the outcome of Jonathan Kuminga‘s free agency will likely dictate what sort of offers the club can make to Horford and Melton.
Signing either of those veteran free agents with the $5.7MM taxpayer mid-level exception likely won’t happen until there’s a resolution on Kuminga, since using that exception would hard-cap the Warriors at the $207.8MM second apron. That could open the door for a rival team to find a way to give Kuminga an offer sheet featuring a starting salary too high for Golden State to match without cost-cutting moves.
Here’s more from Stein and Fischer:
- Chris Paul would still like to play as close to his home in Los Angeles as possible, and the Clippers and Suns continue to weigh the possibility of signing him, per Stein and Fischer. However, if those clubs ultimately go in a different direction, it’s unclear what the 2025/26 season might hold for Paul. The Bucks have interest in the veteran point guard, but he has shown “little inclination” to entertain the idea of signing with an Eastern Conference team so far, according to The Stein Line duo. For what it’s worth, when Paul was asked recently how much longer he plans to play, he replied, “At the most, a year,” which suggests that retirement may not be entirely off the table.
- Bradley Beal is owed a 25% advance payment on his 2025/26 salary on July 15, Stein and Fischer say. While the veteran guard would get that money (roughly $13MM) even if he and the Suns agree to a buyout before then, it’s possible he’ll wait until after he receives that payment an agreement that would see him exit Phoenix.
- After missing out on James Borrego, the Knicks are also unlikely to land Bucks assistant Darvin Ham as they seek a lead assistant for Mike Brown‘s new staff, Stein and Fischer report. Stein noted last weekend that New York has interest in Ham, but Milwaukee appears unwilling to give the Knicks permission to speak to him for what would be a lateral move. Jay Triano, another Knicks target, is also off the table since he just signed a new contract with Dallas, Stein and Fischer add.
- The Bucks are considered likely to bring back forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo if Giannis Antetokounmpo remains in Milwaukee, according to Stein and Fischer. Thanasis missed all of the 2024/25 season due to an Achilles tear, but said in May that he has been medically cleared to return to action.
Thanasis is back!
He’s worth every penny
It feels less Nepo Baby than Bronny. It’s more like a Haslem.
Maybe Al just retires. Better chances of getting a chip elsewhere if not.
Huh? You mean just like your prediction that the Celtics would win it all last year…
Not sure you should be speaking about predictions. The warriors are done pal. Think Chicago post MJ, enjoy.
If he was retiring he would have already. This is because he is taking the TPMLE and GSW cant sign him to it until after they deal with Kuminga for the reason above.
Melton was great in his 6 games with the Warriors last season, but I’m torn about the Warriors offering him for 2 reasons:
1) Melton’s estimated “availability” is poor, which is not what you need when your core group is ancient. Steph will be 38 and Buddy Hield will be 33 years old. If other rotation players are missing, we’re screwed.
Some folks have called Melton “glass”, which the numbers support. Melton struggled to stay on the court with Philly. He played only 6 games for GSW before the ACL injury, and before that, various other injuries led to all regular season games and some pre-season games.
2) adding Melton hurts Moody’s and, especially, Podz’ development…perhaps irreparably. Playing Melton before these 2 young players, which Kerr is certain to do, would be yet another in a long line of anti-development personnel moves.
After a great rookie season where he started in a hugely successful lineup, Podz was demoted to second-string with Melton’s arrival. He then proceeded to play terribly until after Melton and, later, Schroeder departed. Podz’ confidence struggled and he said publicly that he hadn’t been prepared psychologically for losing his key role with the team. Podz finished the season very strongly, save a few bad playoff games. He may not be a future All-Star, but ,IMO, he’s worth developing
If I’m Podz and I’m told that De’Anthony Melton is returning to, once again, take my position after I’ve been told I’d earned it, I’m following JK’s lead to ask for a trade.
1) Melton is waaayyyy to good for a min deal. The only way you get him that cheap is because of the injury concerns. The other upside is on a min deal you can cut him if he gets hurt again or dump him into someones exception to clear a roster spot. He also only counts for the 2.2M in cap and actual pay.
2) Melton got hurt in Nov so he probably isnt ready to return until about then if not later, so the young guys should get a shot early in the year to cement a spot. He is one that you probably play 15-20 min a night until you get into like march just to try and have him healthy by playoff time. Then if he plays hard in the playoffs and breaks so be it.
With Podz in particular I think his season actually made a lot of sense. He got his nose broken and was playing through pain with a mask on. Playing with a mask according to a lot of players messes with your shot. His shot was broken to start the year in the mask, and it snowballed destroying his confidence. He was still playing well in most other areas at the start, but the whole thing started causing other mess ups. He hurt his core and was out for a while. That gave him a mental reset, time to get shots up, and find his rhythm. He returned after a break both mentally and physically right, and rolled the rest of the year until the playoffs when his shot left mid way through the Rockets series, apparently when his shooting wrist got hurt. He was also wearing a thumb wrap like Steph. I would say if Podz shows he can be the player he was when healthy he gets the starting job. He needs to work on his defense and stay healthy and productive to keep it.
Podz is garbage, oh no, please don’t ask for a trade. A drink bottle will suffice, possibly a towel in a straight up swap.
You think every player wearing a Warriors uniform is garbage.
You think every warrior player is an all star. What’s Podz strengths? He tries hard, and?
When did I ever say that every Warrior’s player is an All-Star? That would be never. Podz has a high basketball IQ. He knows how to play the game.
IQ is all of a sudden a guy who gets jammed up, can’t get his shot off and constantly relying on getting assists via the first few rows of the crowd. Totally out of control when he’s not at risk of breaking more backboards than Shaq. High IQ is laughable. Lucky to get another contract.
Meaning, “he’s white.”
Wow. Not only is Aristotle an expert in Statistics and the Business of Sports, he is an Orthopedist and Sports Physiologist. Have you ever examined Melton? How can you make a prognosis?
Melton would probably assume the role he had last season, coming off the bench. The only reason he replaced Podz in the starting lineup was because Podz was struggling with his shot. He was pressing. Besides, the two are good friends. Why would there be any tension?
Giants74, with just a little thought in advance, you’d spare yourself some embarassment.
> Have you ever examined Melton? How can you make a prognosis?
Seriously? No medical expertise is needed to confirm my claim that Melton is an injury risk. He’s currently recovering from an ACL injury (try Google if you’re unfamiliar). Melton played 6 games with GSW last season. His previous season in Philadelphia ended prematurely with an injury.
> The only reason (Melton) replaced Podz in the starting lineup was because
> Podz was struggling with his shot.
FALSE. Podz lost his starting position in the pre-season when Kerr declared he thought Podz fit best as the backup PG. Podz started the season on the bench, playing 10 mins per game less than the previous season. When Melton went down with an ACL tear, Podz didn’t regain his starting position. It took the failed Dennis Schroeder experiment for Podz to give Podz the chance to regain a starting position.
> Besides, the two (Podz and Melton) are good friends. Why would there be any
> tension?
Seriously? Who said there would be “tension” between Podz and Melton? The point is that players who have been starting want to continue doing that. (Younger players tend to respond especially poorly to demotion, even if they have an intimate relationship with their replacement.) Podz also happens to be eligible for a rookie extension after this season.
On a very small contract, Melton would be ok off the bench. Podz has the most upside of any young Warriors player. Good team player also.
Still waiting for 1 or 2 bigs on the roster from free agency, think it may be a long wait.
IMO, GS needs to get younger. However, probably trying for one last title with Curry