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…
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 …
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.
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 .
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.
—- 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.
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.
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.