September 29, 12:30 pm: The Warriors’ deals with Payton and Richard are now official, according to the team (Twitter links). Since both contracts are worth the minimum, making them official won’t affect Golden State’s other signings.
September 28, 7:42 pm: Free agent guards Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton have committed to deals with the Warriors, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).
The terms of the deal were not included in the report, though they’re likely to be worth the veteran’s minimum. These signings have long been expected around the league, with the understanding being that the Warriors were waiting to complete them until after they finalized their restricted free agency standoff with Jonathan Kuminga.
Payton, a nine-year NBA veteran, has spent a little over four seasons with the Warriors over the course of his career. While he has dealt with injuries in recent years, he appeared in 62 games last season for Golden State, averaging 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 15.0 minutes per contest while serving as a versatile, defensive-minded guard/forward who can attack in transition.
Melton is another defensive guard with some injury concerns that have popped up in recent years. He signed with the Warriors ahead of the 2024/25 season, but tore his ACL in just his sixth game with the team, ending his season. Golden State included him in its December trade with the Nets for Dennis Schröder.
During his time with the Warriors, Melton averaged 10.3 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 20.2 minutes per night. He has only played in 45 games over the last two seasons and will be hoping for a bounce-back year in terms of health.
The Warriors are also signing rookie Will Richard to a four-year contract, Charania reports (via Twitter). The No. 56 pick in the 2025 draft will receive two fully guaranteed years in the deal.
Richard is a four-year college player who spent his final three seasons for Florida. As a senior in 2024/25, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game and played a key role on the championship-winning team. In six Summer League games for the Warriors, Richard averaged 11.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 1.8 SPG.
Word of these three deals follows the report earlier in the day that free agent big man Al Horford had agreed to a multiyear deal with the Warriors. Judging by the four signings, the Warriors appear to be targeting defense, especially along the perimeter, and some level of versatility as they look to round out their roster.
Anthony Slater of ESPN notes (via Twitter) that Horford, Payton, Melton, and Richard will occupy roster spots nine through 13 for the Warriors, and that the 14th spot is currently left for the resolution of the Kuminga standoff.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks adds (via Twitter) that as long as the Warriors don’t sign Kuminga to a deal with a starting salary higher than approximately $23MM, they would have the ability to add a 15th player and remain below the second tax apron. That projection assumes Horford receives the full taxpayer mid-level exception, which would hard-cap Golden State at the second apron.
YES!! Stayyy healthy this time, D’Melt. And welcome back, I guess, GP2!
Ah man, if the Kings could somehow relinquish Keegan Murray and maybe a second-round pick for Kuminga, I’d be SO DAMN pumped about 2026 DUBS BAYYYYYYY-sket-balllllllllllllllll!!
Yeah GSW is going to have to give up picks to swap Murray for Kuminga…
@TheChosenDud-. Why would you want Murray on GSW? He’s been moving backwards since his rookie year.
For 2024-25, his numbers:
34MPG, 12.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 1.4 APG on 44/34/83
After that disappointing third season, the Kings didn’t offer him a rookie extension. Instead, the Kings promised Jonathan Kuminga his position.
It has been reported in quite a few places that the Warriors are interested in Murray, but the Kings said no.
Sac offered Kuminga the PF position. Didn’t offer Murray a new contarct
They haven’t offered Murray a new contract because they are a still negotiating it. How do you know what position they offered him? Name your source.
There was a poster on here. Who said he should have been moved at draft. Cause now it looks like he will sign his QO. Wednesday he will do just that. Imagine what Warriors could have gotten at draft. That poster is a genius …
There is no way he could have been moved at the draft. The poster is clearly a moron.
Why couldn’t he be moved.
Cause that is what your mana raised ….
Giants74
May 29, 2025
It makes more sense for Kuminga to stay. There is a better path for him to succeed. If he had been more consistent last season, the would never have traded for Butler. They were able to play Wiggins and JK together with some success. Butler is obviously better than Wiggins. He can learn from Butler. Having a camp together, they can work on the issues that couldn’t be addressed in a playoff chase.
Ya see ….
Huh? Do you really copy these things and save them somewhere?
And what is wrong with what I said? It is up to Kuminga to learn and get better. I keep saying that. Jimmy could really help him.
As to trading him at the draft, that could never have happened. In trades, you exchange contracts. Kuminga wasn’t under contract. The Warriors couldn’t talk to him for another week. They couldn’t sign him for another week after that. This is a rule that has been in place for quite a few years. It couldn’t have happened.
yawn
What about Seth Curry? Sounds like they expect Kuminga to just take the QO. So what is going on with their other pick? Is he going to be a 2 way player or play down under for another year?
Most of the deals offered him so far are escalating instead of flat, so if they make the 3 year fully guaranteed he would still probably start at 20-21 year 1. They would probably love to lock him in with enough room to spare for 2 vet mins so they can drop one if a players injured and sign another. I think almost all GSW current offers to JK are low enough that all the rest works.
Unfortunately, it’s not 20/21 in year 1. Per his agent, it’s closer to 23-25-27 over the 3 years.
Yes!!! Let’s go! Just make the playoffs and see what happens
Thank God, it’s all coming together so well. Now Seth is left, and Kuminga should still be dealt with. The tension is finally being relieved, but until Kuminga’s situation is agreed upon, the Warriors are still under stress. They’re still comprised of fewer players compared to other teams and they could have finished things much faster and earlier, but then again there might have been plans beforehand aside from the Horford, GP2, and Melton verbal agreements, so I might be wrong. I just wanna see the Warriors and Kuminga end up in a better situation.
I see what you’re saying, but there’s nothing different between today and two months ago. This was all wink wink and agreed upon.
But training camp is just a day or two away and you can’t hide the fact these guys are going to sign.
They’re in town, they’re running.., They’re meeting in San Diego. Might as well announce officially that the intentions are to sign with the Warriors.
But nothing is different than two months ago. Still waiting on JK to make a decision.
What’s different is your definition of same events. You’ve been blaming Kuminga for not signing a deal no matter how bad. So Warriors can sign other players. Now you knew all along ????
What’s that … that I said Warriors wanted Kuminga to sign QO. Cause then they can sign the FA players they want ……. You mean that. what a byter .
5 years and close to $150 million is a bad deal? What are you smoking.
Making up numbers is a virus among warriors fans ….. the 7th planet is calling you.
Giants74 throws out numbers like DaveyJ puts out KD trades. At 30 mill explain how they sign all the players they are signing. Byters
That was the contract offer that he rejected.
He has never been offered that. And its clear now Warriors wouldn’t offer that. All that is on record and available. Just make it up as you go along. Just more info about yourself lol.
The Countdown has arrived ……….
Horford. Melton, Payton ……. Be thankful lmao
> there’s nothing different between today and two
> months ago.
100%
Keagan Murray, cash, one 1st and one 2nd for Kuminga
Alec Burks would have been a better choice instead of Payton
Why not have Scott Perry throw in his left nut while you’re at it? That’s why too much to unless the Warriors are sending the picks.
Yeah, Keegan is a better all around player than Kuminga.
Only time will tell
That’s why Kings offered Kuminga his position right?
Let us know when Kings offered Murray his rookie extension. Oops.
They are still negotiating the contract.
Kuminga has the potential to be the better player in the end
Keegan is barely in front of Kuminga, and Kuminga had his development stunted by Kerr creating reasons out of thin air to bench him for marginal talents instead.
The value stats match up with what I’m saying:
Murray: 7580 MP 13.9 WS 1.8 VORP
Kuminga: 5672 MP 12.o WS 1.4 VORP
It’s not a runaway by any stretch. Wild how people are suddenly forgetting Kuminga has ever played good basketball ever in his life…did 2022-24 not exist now? He was injured last season. Get over it, he has a superstar sky’s the limit ceiling. MDJ and Lacob should give him 3/75 plus a PO. Stop messing around. Do NOT trade Kuminga unless it is for Giannis.
Scott Perry got down on his knees and promised Kuminga Keegan Murray’s position.
That was after he passed on offering Murray a rookie extension. You don’t do that if the palyer is your future.
The left nut might close the deal
—- The Countdown —-
Seems like it has come to its end. There is only one outcome now. That is Kuminga will sign his QO 7.9 mill on Wednesday. Warriors can fill out their roster now. Pre season is right around the corner.
Next scenario is what will Warriors do with Kuminga. And will Kuminga be receptive to anything they want to do. He can be a good backup to Jimmy. Then get his big contract as a FA next year.
A backup to Jimmy? Why? The Warriors are trying to win. He hasn’t proven he can help them that way. He has a lot of work to do.
Then don’t use him. Sit him all year. I just ask what do you do now. Brain aneurism again.
Basketball is 5 on 5. Not really that difficult. Then there is you
Why are you lashing out so hard? I know the Knicks have been the worst team in the league for 30 years running, but the hate you have the warriors is comical. I guess I grew up with the warriors being a team nobody ever heard of, so they are an underdog success story. I guess for kids like you the warriors have always been the best. Must have a deep effect on the psyche of lesser peoples.
Not your business.
I don’t take kindly to personal insults. You can trash my takes all you want. Its on now.
And yet, you are the trashing everyone else. Can’t take what you dish out.
Giants74. Back in May you were telling us all how Kuminga fit great and that he should sign with the Warriors.
What happened.
You are ignoring 90% of what I said Sparky.
We’re just trying to help you remember because we know you struggle.
So, you are a group of trolls? Who else are you?
Are you high? Its Kuminga+picks if you want Murray. His skillset has far more value in the league, and he is still in the final year of his rookie deal.
@chapmansvacuum-
The luster is off Keegan Murray, and Sacramento’s new front office doesn’t see him as part of their future. He’s 25 years old, was a 22 year old rookie following 2 years in college.
He’s always been more skilled than athletic, but now it’s clear that lack of athleticism sets a low ceiling.
Sacramento didn’t offer him a rookie extension, which is hugely telling…but hardly surprising given how disappointing this past season was.
Murray is making $11M this season, IMO, about $6M less than he’s worth.
The Kings offered Jonathan Kuminga Murray’s position because they believe Kuminga is a superior player.
Murray is a much better defender than JK with similar size. His shooting was down, but that team made no sense and was giving him terrible shot quality. I think JK has more upside, but KM I think has more value around the league, and would be a much better player next season for what GSW need. In 5 years it may be flipped, but he is a better defender and shooter by far, and teams respect his shooting way more.
Murray is a limited player today, and with little upside.
Murray is a better interior defender and rebounder. He is not a better wing defender than Kuminga.
Murray’s scoring and shooting have gone down for this reason: opponents determined that he can’t take them off the dribble, so they defend him to shoot. It’s that simple. It’s not the team’s fault he’s not making shots.
Better team defender I would say.
Much better.
100 percent
Kuminga also has more potential
So 3/75 is off the table. QO it is.
Toohey got a 2way deal, it might be still on. If Seth is announced, the QO it is.
He was never going to sign that. Cause it had a TO on it. Warriors never took TO off the table. Kuminga wanted a PO. Cause they wanted this very scenario. Losing Kuminga was already accepted for next yr. They didn’t want to lose Horford, Melton, Payton and even Curry now. Was always about the cap.
GaryRedSoxxWarriors
May 15, 2025
I wouldn’t put any credence into Joe Lacob‘s comments. That’s what he’s supposed to say. Anything less than that deuces is value on the open market.
Jonathan Kuminga is absolutely a sign and trade 100% gone out of here buh-bye.
We saw last night the Jonathan Kuminga that the Warriors needed and relied on and he was the Jonathan Kuminga I expected.
Decent game, got his points, but couldn’t bring his team to a victory.
Julius Randall carried his team to a victory. Derek White carried his team to a victory. Jonathan Kuminga ? Not so much
————————/—————-
This is the crybaby Warrior fan. Who thinks a player his own coach doesn’t want to play. Who gets thrown into fire. A 22 yr old. Yet he wants to compare him to all star vets. I will never understand how you can trash a 22 yr old. His own team didn’t do right by him. Then expect good return in a trade. Funny stuff laughed so hard I got angry ……
The Warriors still lost.
This was in response to someone who said the Warriors will be keeping Jonathan Kuminga because the owner said so. The owner said he loved Jonathan Kuminga.
I replied with that’s what the owner supposed to say. He’s not gonna say, “JK sucks. I want him out of here,” of course not.
It sure looks like back in May that myself and other Warriors fans already knew Jonathan Kuminga was on his way out of town. It was just a matter of dollars and team. Has anything changed? We’re still waiting on dollars and team. If he takes the QO, wow that’s a very bad move.
And of course you can’t help yourself and you throw in a disparaging remark like “crybaby.”
You really just can’t help yourself. You can’t have a discussion without an insult. Oh well, I’ll take the high road and do my best.
Excellent comment Al, I really appreciate the points you’ve made here.
I’ve stayed free of these discussions. Maybe out of ignorance. But they’re adding Horford, Melton, Payton, Richard and maybe SethCurry? And Kuminga? Why is this not GREAT? Am I stupid? Gary? Al? Aristotle? G74? Chappy?
Claude, It has the possibility of sounding great on paper, but the team is very old. With age comes injury probabilities.
If said injury happens at the wrong time to the wrong player, the Warriors are doomed.
It also doesn’t include Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors won’t let him walk for nothing next summer and if he signs the QO, that’s what most likely will happen.
So before Wednesday, he’s going to be shipped with Moses Moody to Sacramento for DeMar DeRozan And a first round pick.
JK will get his $20 million plus for a couple of years, Sacramento will get their man, and the Warriors won’t come away empty-handed.
Just my two cents. There’s a lot of differing opinions here so good luck sorting them out. One of us will probably be right, lol
What are your thoughts for between now and Wednesday?
Melton is only 27 and hasn’t even lived up to his potential. You also forgot he is the back up PG when Curry is off the floor which the warriors lacked last year. Warriors big problem was lack of assist men. The team is deeper than lst year and if Seth signs he will be better than Watters. Halford replaces Looney which is an upgrade.
If I may add one more comment, some of those dudes are not even that great on paper lol
Horford is a catch in my opinion. He’ll help out a lot even though he’s 40.
Melton is a major question mark. Hurt two straight years so whatever he gives will be a bonus. He sure looked good, but it was only for six games. Fingers crossed he can contribute the whole season, but isn’t that a lot to ask considering the track record?
Payton is a 6-2, three and D player. Great defense one through three and he’ll hit the corner three ball. Aside from his tipping rebounds to teammates and overall hustle, He’s a question as well. He’ll get hurt for 20 games at a time because he’s an acrobat out there and acrobats get hurt.
Richard is a late second round pick. He’s a 6-3 shooting guard. Is he a Gary Payton DeAndre Melton defensive clone? They sure seem to like that type of player.
Seth Curry is 35 years old. He can shoot the rock and that’s always a good thing, but he’ll get hurt too. He misses chunks of of time in his own right.
All this to say is that these guys are all question Marks and then you have the starting five who is as old as the Hills with question Marks for durability.
I say the Warriors sneak in with maybe the seventh seed, get to the second round and we’ll see where it goes from there.
@Gary,. As a betting man, that’s a solid take. It’ll also make for an exciting season. I got you down for:
– 7th seed, win play-in
– win 1sr round of playoffs in an upset over Denver
I’m waiting until prr-season ends to put my money down, but ive got a Championship vibe. Kuminga, Podz, and Moody ascending. Dubs over Orlando in 7.
@ClaudeRaymond-
This from Gary says it in a nutshell:
“Claude, It has the possibility of sounding great on paper, but the team is very old. With age comes injury probabilities.”
No NBA team has ever tried with a group this old, much less contender for a Championship
36,36,38,39 (ages of 4 key starters)
36,33,33 (Seth Curry, Hield, and GP2)
I still think that if the deal makes sense they will ship Jimmy out in a hot second. Steph/Dray are gonna be old, and I already am assuming Horford is a starter in name only who will be rested and min limited. I think C is the biggest ? with Post/TJD needing to either prove they are every night rotation guys even if they arent stars, and I would think a move for a big in season is the most likely non star trade.
The biggest improvement on the roster for this makeup of a team can come from Post. Everyone else will suffer from normal regression from age or lack of opportunity, outside of Melton due to his injury. I enjoy your assessments most of the time even if I sometimes disagree, but I don’t think you’re watching GSW regularly if you are insinuating that TJD has anything to contribute whatsoever on a competitive NBA roster. There are multiple magnitudes of difference between Post and TJD and what they can do for the Warriors, and it doesn’t appear remotely close.
I would love to see Post improve on defense and mobility, because that would be a guy you could really use. TJD was quite good most of his rookie year. He suuuuckkked last season to start, but was putting up useful min later in the year in a SSS. I just put him in because outside of Dray he is one of only 3 C on the team, and the starter is a 40 year old whos min should be limited.
I think this was the best offseason they could have had outside a star shaking loose and demanding to go to GSW, a major trade for a younger difference maker, or a wild deal where someone overpaid for JK.
Im saying B+ and I like the directions they can take in season since they actually have a variety of matching salary, and assets. This team could make smaller or bigger moves in season to refine the roster pretty easily.
> Im saying B+ and I like the directions they can take
> in season
Please tell me what those directions are because I’m panicking. Dunleavey talked this summer about Kuminga being their only remaining trade chip. They aren’t trading away future draft picks unless it’s for Giannis.
I’ll give them a B+ if Kuminga signs an extension, but a D- if he signs a QO, which basically means we’ll get nothing of value in a trade.
I absolutely think they will make a move like last season where if they think theyre in it mid season they will deal the ’26 first for an upgrade this season. They may also, with this west, be just close enough to falling into the lottery that teams give you pretty good value for it.
I am waiting to see what happens in NOP when they face plant, and how bad you could grift that FO for a few of their guys.
Today Real players are in better shape. And team can help them by managing their mins and back to backs.
A real rim protector also helps keep guys in better shape. But I won’t waste my breath explaining that. Depth is also a good thing. All about the playoffs.
What ab Seth?
Looks like we dodged a bullet.
Honestly don’t even care about starting lineups or even rotations, but this -should- be the minutes distribution from most to least (unless blowout). You just KNOW Kerr can’t say no to using small ball lineups, so expect the undersized guys to get more minutes than the bigs, as is always the way with Kerr:
Curry
Butler
Kuminga
Green
Horford
Moody
Podziemski
Hield
Melton
Post
Jackson-Davis
Payton
Santos
Richard
TW: Toohey
Honestly, loving this depth. Easy WCF ceiling here, very much the “win-now” roster that Curry needs around him to get it done. 2025-26 feeling like 2021-22 already. Like, dude, Jimmy Butler is on this team. With Steph Curry. And Draymond Green. The supporting cast has a high ceiling, then so does this team. 55-60 wins if healthy + we get the WCF we deserved last year: GSW vs OKC.
Flabby and sick team.
Flabby and sick…Are you projecting again.
This “DarrenDreifortsContract” guy just leaves negative comments under every article, like an atrabilious old man, and thinks he’s funny. But if this forum had downvotes and a counter, he’d probably be not far off from Davey J for those.
I am literally correct all the time though, that’s why everyone who is dedicated to hating anything I say just get made to look even lower rent than they are. I say things others repeat and get upvotes for, but because other people on here have decided to mass harass me instead of muting me, I get “no, you are wrong”d (gaslit) when I am right and saying the same type of points others do.
When the Warriors get Giannis, this entire community should be forced to humbly apologize to me. I will accept, I just want to talk hoops, not posters. This place is largely anonymous, its not THAT serious. But if I get name called 5000 times by low rent incels on here, then snap and call them names back, I am always then the bad guy who Gary then feels the need to police the tone of. If anything I am the most legit poster on here, I provide the hot takes that have to do with NBA and post topics. Anyone who posts constantly about other teams they don’t like, or posters they are mass harassing are the ones who should be banned.
Really thought that after your last tirade got nuked that you would change your tune. Should’ve known better lol.
Oh no not downvotes! My life would be over!
@ Davey….hahahahaha hahahahaha hahahahaha.
@DDC is coping and seething because he knows the Warriors have a better roster than the Lakers this year.
I’m not a Lakers fan lol.
Ok then, so what team (that Steph owns) do you follow?
GaryRedSoxxWarriors
September 28, 2025
This was in response to someone who said the Warriors will be keeping Jonathan Kuminga because the owner said so. The owner said he loved Jonathan Kuminga.
I replied with that’s what the owner supposed to say. He’s not gonna say, “JK sucks. I want him out of here,” of course not.
It sure looks like back in May that myself and other Warriors fans already knew Jonathan Kuminga was on his way out of town. It was just a matter of dollars and team. Has anything changed? We’re still waiting on dollars and team. If he takes the QO, wow that’s a very bad move.
And of course you can’t help yourself and you throw in a disparaging remark like “crybaby.”
You really just can’t help yourself. You can’t have a discussion without an insult. Oh well, I’ll take the high road and do my best.
Excellent comment Al, I really appreciate the points you’ve made here.
1
FlagMute
And you Gary, I see you have taken up an aristotle trick. Using my ideas as your own. Frankly I don’t need credit. Only you should put it as. A good point a poster made. Or someone made on here.
Plagiarism is a sign of intelligence. Not having any. Specially when the guy you steal from. You insult his knowledge, intelligence. You are a one trick pony. That got no cojones. I will post it if you like. Nons always clown themselves. Always
You’re exactly right Al. I appreciate that you understand what’s going on.
Thank you for pointing it out and seeing the errors. Excellent observation and I appreciate it. Thank you.
You need a young (22-23) PG and young (22-23) C on two way contracts with Toohey now
Don’t sign Seth. You really want Steph to change his jersey name
Yeah he would….more money, more money. Everyone will have to buy the new jersey, no?
When you look at it that way then definitely yeah you are right but I’m sure Curry has more than enough. Maybe he might want to win one with his brother or maybe he might want his jersey to always be the same and his legacy to be his. Sorry bro. Do you think their parents treat them differently?
I bet Micheal Jordan would never want Reggie Jordan playing with him sharing the Jordan name
I was going to write that Davey lol but it just doesn’t look right. No brother you cannot be on the team(making me look bad because of what that jersey would look like).
Sorry Seth we have Payton
J. Jordan or R. Jordan which one
What about Jalen Williams on OKC. How do you think he feels. What about Giannis
ST. CURRY!!! LMAO