After Anthony Slater of ESPN reported earlier today that De’Anthony Melton is still in the late stage of his rehab process following last season’s ACL tear and is expected to miss the start of the season, the Warriors have confirmed as much.
According to the team, the plan is to reevaluate Melton in four weeks. Head coach Steve Kerr said today that the veteran guard will “hopefully be ready sometime in the next couple months,” per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps (Twitter link).
The Warriors’ timeline for Melton indicates he’ll miss at least the first week of the regular season and will likely remain sidelined for longer than that. Based on Kerr’s remarks, it sounds like a best-case scenario would see Melton back on the floor for the team at some point in November.
Melton, who signed a one-year, $12.8MM contract with the Warriors during the 2024 offseason, appeared in just six games for the team before tearing his left ACL on November 12. The 27-year-old also missed a significant portion of the 2023/24 season due to a back issue and has appeared in just 14 regular season and playoff games since the calendar flipped to 2024, so it’s safe to assume Golden State won’t rush his ramp-up period.
Melton signed a new two-year, minimum-salary contract with the Warriors earlier today. The deal, which includes a second-year player option, had been rumored for months and was made official only after Jonathan Kuminga‘s restricted free agency standoff was resolved, giving the team clarity on its salary cap situation.
Brandin Podziemski, Gary Payton II, Buddy Hield, and Moses Moody are among the Warriors guards who are candidates to play increased roles early in the season with Melton unavailable.
I forgot about this. He’s not going to be ready right now, but this is a good thing. He can ramp up slowly and play when it really counts.
Maybe treat him sort of like a midseason trade deadline acquisition, though he’ll probably join the team earlier than that.
Gary, what are your thoughts on Kuminga’s salary + trade kicker lining up almost exactly with Demar’s salary?
Looking at the other names at around that 24 million mark, there are some interesting players but nobody that jumps out.
I like DeMar DeRozan on the Warriors at this time and at this point in his career and considering what they need.
But, I never did like DeMar DeRozan in the past. He can’t shoot the three not that great a defender, etc. etc.
But right now as another guy who can score and get to the mid range jumpshot etc. I like him… for 1 year !!
All that to say, I think the Warriors now that they’ve signed JK, they’re going to see how this plays out.
They’re going to wait and see if it works or not.
Maybe JK has worked on his game over the summer?
Maybe he’ll buy into being part of the plan and part of the solution, not part of the problem and thinking of himself and the next paycheck?
So I would say let’s wait and see how this goes.
On paper it’s an OK fit because he’s young and athletic. Realistically he’s a bad fit because he’s not that good yet and he can’t shoot.
So I guess my answer would be, let’s see how this works for three months.
Does he fit and did he work on his game or will Jimmy start calling him Names in practice and JK will ask out by the deadline? Time will tell.
But yes, thumbs up to DeMar DeRozan at this point in his career and him providing what the Warriors need right now.
Not sure about any other guy in that salary slot, I haven’t looked at who could be available.
That’ll definitely open up once JK is available to be traded at full salary. Might see a big change for the Warriors at the deadline?
What are your thoughts. As a Kings fan do you like DeRozan for JK?
It would probably be nice because he’s redundant with Zach LaVine and plugging in a young forward instead would help mix things up?
I think Kuminga will start the season slowly because he always does. He’s always sluggish at the start of the season and after coming off an injury. Check his stats and shooting splits in the first 15 games in 22-23, 23-24, 24-25 and after the injury in 24-25. They are much worse than his averages.
I don’t think he has figured out how to put himself in form from day 1. And if anything, his preparation this summer was probably even worse, considering he had other things on his mind. And he didn’t play in that competition for his national team in August, which could have helped him sharpen up.
If my prediction is true, that’s not great for GS. But beneficial for other teams as he’ll be cheaper to acquire in a trade after a slow start.
@peter_cantrope, Observant you are. But it’s a small sample size and he was 18, 19, 20, and 21 in those years. When I was that age, I was showing up to practice hungover, faked all my stretching, and was sure I was smarter than the coaches. He says he has been eating his vegetables.
Not Gary, so this will be an inferior analysis, but, IMO, Dubs have no interest in Derozan at this stage of his career. He can still get buckets, but he’s never fit the Dubs style, past or present.
All the criticisms of Kuminga apply to Kuminga: high usage, holds the ball a long time, needs an iso or PnR offense. He’s never been a good defender, but at 35 years old he’s a bad one.
If Kuminga is moved, IMO, it’ll be for size and athleticism, of which the Dubs now have the least in the NBA.
Ari what about if it’s not working out with Jonathan Kuminga by the deadline? Jimmy’s upset with him in practice, he hasn’t improved his game over the summer, and he’s not really getting the minutes he wants and who knows how that will work in the locker room?
What do you do in that case mid February? Absolutely not on DeMar DeRozan?
I won’t ask about other players because it’s way too early for that.
Let’s see how this works out and keep our fingers crossed. But since DeMar DeRozan was brought up, what do you think about mid February in my scenario here?
You are entitled your (expert) opinion.
But I don’t see Demar DeRozan on the Warriors.
And what’s your deal with all these old dudes? DeRozan is 36.
Can we get some guys that are getting better every year instead of worse?
I would love to. But I think the choices are limited. It’s not like our guy is getting better every year lol.., he’s the same player he was four years ago in my opinion.
> he’s the same player he was four years ago in my
> opinion.
I get your position on JK. But there only about 15 guys in the NBA older than DeRozan, and we’ve got 3 of ‘em already.
True. But his name came up in the other comment so he’s the subject at hand. And it’s too early in my opinion to discuss anyone else. Let’s see how JK fits first.
Warriors cant trade Kuminga until Jan 15th so it gives them enough time to know how he fits and if they are in long term for him in the future. Way too early to even think trades because you don’t know their needs and injuries at that time.
If Warriors are serious about this year. And they should be. DeM fits this team better than Kuminga.
Warriors have time to get offers. Imo Kuminga will be traded. Warriors can’t waste another year on developing Kuminga.
Honestly they need a veteran starting at SG next to Curry so DeRozan actually makes a lot of sense. Or have Butler be the SG and DeRozan the SF at times. Honestly a good idea. Their starting lineup would all be veterans 30+. Butler and DeRozan switching. I’ve never thought of this but it works this year. Probably a perfect fit Washington _Bonercats
It’s not terrible news, but it’s close.
1. Melton had the procedure 11 months ago. From what I’m reading elsewhere, he’s not ready yet for on-court drilling of any form. That doesn’t indicate a 2025 return.
2. We’re very short at PG. We have only Steph and Podz now, and Steph is supposed to rest on back-to-backs.
GSW needs another PG, asap.
That was their problem last year after Melton went down they didn’t have a PG. it will be too soon for a G league PG to show he can handle being a back up.
Very strange that they’ve known all summer that Melton wasn’t going to be ready for the start of the season, yet they didn’t grab a real PG…even with the importance of not over-loading Steph…and, moreover, knowing that we have a ton of back-to-backs in the first 2 months, where Steph will be unavailable.
It looks like Pat Spencer is this year’s Chris Chiozza (or should I say Lindy Waters?).
Lindy was the Klay Thompson replacement. 6-5, 3 point shooter spot up, OK on defense not expected to do much else. Couldn’t get on track just wasn’t the right guy, but they gave him a shot.
They figured he was hiding on the bench in OKC and worth the gamble of picking him up.
Yes, Pat Spencer is Chris Chiozza. Back up point guard in a pinch. Won’t hurt you, mature, knows the system.
Gary, the 1/2 season Lindy Waters experiment ( >17 mins per game) cost the Warriors several losses. It was an unpardonable failure in coaching and leadership.
Lindy is a great story, but, at 27 years old, nothing about his journeyman past suggested he should be a key rotation piece, much less a starter, on a contending team. And, with respect, Lindy has never been “OK on defense”.
We entered last season with the same extraordinarily successful group of players that finished 17 games over .500 in the latter half of 2023-24. But Kerr’s ego got the better of him. He insisted on Lindy Waters and a 13-man rotation. Result: a losing record.
“Unpardonable failure?”
Speak for yourself. Who did you want him to start at shooting guard in replacement of Klay Thompson?
Moses Moody? OK well Moody was 19 and Lindy was 26. Let’s try Lindy and see if it works. He has a nice stroke and perhaps because of the numbers game, he was buried on the thunder bench? Definitely work worth a risk.
Unpardonable failure?
Doesn’t make sense with half the crowd here who wants to play young guys so they will develop. Jonathan Kuminga ring a bell? Moses Moody?
They gave it a shot for three months and it was worth the risk. There’s not much else you can do when you’re at the Warriors position in the salary cap.
You already brought in slow Mo, Melton, Buddy. Sometimes you have to play the hand that you’re dealt.
Couple of folks here are so easy to bash Steve Kerr.., well I’ll tell you that you’re going to miss him when he’s gone.
Like I said, Kerr had at his disposal exactly the same players who finished the previous season with the 2nd best record in the 2nd half of the season. A provably successful lineup. That’s the hand Kerr was dealt. But he refused to use it. Even once.
We don’t have to argue your claims that Kuminga or Podz or Moody suck. We have over 400 possession with Kuminga playing with Steph, Dray, and Wiggins from the previous season. Same with Podz. Kuminga and Podz may suck like you say, but it’s undeniable that they sucked less than Lindy Waters when playing with the rest of the team.
So, yeah, unforgivable. If we don’t give away those games, Steph doesn’t have to kill himself in the 2nd half of the season to make the playoffs.
Podski doesn’t suck. I’ve never said that. You’re making it up.
OK, good exchange. I appreciate it. We shall see how it goes.
Apologies, I misspoke in saying you said Podz sucked :—)
But my point was that Lindy shouldn’t have been taking his minutes. Nor, Buddy’s, JK’s, or Moody’s.
You just signed a player who sucks ……Having I been saying that for two yrs. All the crying over a guy they think sucks ….. funny lols. True fans
I hope they don’t experiment with Payton as a PG because he doesn’t have the handles to be a PG. Only thing I can think is Podz be worked as the back up PG in training camp.
Correct arc. Payton is not a point guard has never been a point guard. He’s really a 6-2 small forward, 3 and D guy. He actually didn’t figure out how to play to his strengths till he was 27, 28 years old.
Anthony Slater: Mike Dunleavy updates.., De’Anthony Melton not expected to be cleared for regular season but shouldn’t be out too long.
Medical staff will be cautious with vets.
“…but shouldn’t be out too long.”
I wish I could take comfort from that (because I believe Melton can help us a lot), but that’s too vague.
When you’re coming back from an ACL and you’re still not allowed on the court, you’re months, not weeks, away. Especially when you have an extensive injury history like Melton.
Yes, it’s very vague. Like I said above. Maybe he’s just like a trade deadline acquisition, but doesn’t cost anything in trading out a guy?
Gary- I’m a huge Melton fan, and glad they’re rolling the dice on him. I’m just concerned that Steph will get dragged into playing too many minutes because we lack quality backups.
And you’re right to think that way. But I don’t think this roster is finished. I think Joe will go into tax territory if they can improve the team at the deadline.
But maybe they won’t have to. Maybe these guys will gel and it’ll be such an awesome experience that we’ll ride into the playoffs with a nice seeding and Get some home court playoff games.
Do Warriors really need a traditional backup PG? If Kerr is really playing “Small Ball”, as everyone says, they don’t need one. It is by definition, position less. Don Nelson, the father of “Small Ball”, was an advocate for Point Forwards. What has Draymond been doing all these years? (Side note: Draymond will be pass Karl Malone as the leader in career assists for a Power Forward. He will do it in 500 fewer games) Butler has history of running the offense. Hey, maybe they can work on Kuminga and develop his play making skills.
> I think Joe will go into tax territory if they can improve the
> team at the deadline.
Gary, please mark me down for this prediction: if Melton is healthy and playing well in January, we’ll be trading Moody or Buddy for another piece. The start of this season will feel like the start of last season: too many small off-guards and not enough playing time for them.
I believe it’ll become clear that we need more size, athleticism, and toughness, esp on defense. This past-offseason, HOU, DEN, SAS, LAC, NOP, SAS, POR, DAL etc have all very deliberately added size and physicality. All these teams talking about how the West has gotten bigger, so size is more important.
My prediction: come trade deadline time, we’ll have at least two trade pieces not named Kuminga. If Melton gets healthy, he’ll get big minutes at SG, and we’ll be looking at Buddy’s and Moody’s contracts as the obvious assets to trade. We have too many guys getting mins at the 2: Podz, Melton, Buddy, Moody, GP2, Seth Curry, etc., making Buddy’s $9M and Moody’s $12M seem expendable.
The reason to move Moody’s $12M asap is that, because of the SG logjam, his contract will rapidly devalue.
GSW in fact, does not need a designated PG, with Jimmy and Dray there. Why not play 2 SGs there instead, who cares if there isn’t a dedicated undersized guard doing cardio out there and instead Buddy and Moody?
If Seth isn’t going to be on the team til Dec/if at all, and Melton likely being held out til 2026, I take back my “too many undersized guards again” comment. We now have just the right amount of undersized guards. lol.
Here’s the rotations/lineups I would use if I was coach:
Curry, Butler, Green, Kuminga, Horford (the very best unit they can use)
Curry, Moody, Butler, Green, Horford (a likely-used unit)
Curry, Moody, Butler, Kuminga, Green (a unit they swore off, but likely will still use anyway)
Podziemski, Moody, Kuminga, Jackson-Davis, Post (youth unit)
Melton, Hield, Butler, Green, Horford (high ceiling if they can make the offense cohesive)
Curry, Richard, Moody, Kuminga, Post (steph+youth)
St. Curry, Se.Curry, Butler, Green, Horford (uncs)
Loving this team if they stay healthy, plus kept the biggest prize in a potential Giannis deal who can ball out himself in the meantime. Easy title ceiling. Very win-now roster. Would like another Horford-type big, but this is good for now. Only the Nuggets and Thunder are on the Warriors level. They have Curry AND Jimmy for a full season. This is last years’ roster on steroids, if we are being honest. Wiggins stinks and he’s off the roster. Aside from injuries I see few weaknesses. Curry is still top 10 in the NBA = GSW will contend.
I’m confused ………..
Does everyone here understand that Kerr runs an offense. That doesn’t need a traditional PG. Steph is a scorer not a PG about time you learn that. Your offense uses ball handlers and playmakers. Thats who Steph feeds off cause of his shot. Kerr is not going to tire him out. By bringing up the ball or start the offense. Warriors offense doesn’t use the traditional post scorer. aka a PF, C. He uses bigs that can play on perimeter. But can defend
Look what I wrote. I have always felt that Draymond was who Don Nelson was missing all those years.