The Golden State Warriors finally made the move that fans had been waiting for throughout the summer.
First, it has been revealed that Al Horford has joined the Warriors as their starting centre on a multi-year contract.
And the Warriors will not only stop with Horford, despite the financial terms for these acquisitions being finalised after the resolution of Jonathan Cuminga’s contract Saga.
These acquisitions address the key roster needs that remained after the season ended.
The Warriors also successfully held DeAnthony Melton after a brief but promising tenure last season before ACL injuries sidelined him throughout the campaign.
Golden State won the 27-year-old security guards’ competition against several interested franchises, including two Los Angeles teams.
“When the Free Agent Window opened this offseason, Melton was attracting attention from several organizations. The Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers were one of the Western conference candidates who had contact with Melton.”
“There was a growing expectation that the Lakers would eventually secure a deal with him, but the team took a different direction by using their mid-level exception to sign Deandre Ayton and Jake Laravia,” he added.
Melton’s value exceeds the statistics, but his limited Warriors sample size averaged 10.3 points, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steel promises, filming 37.1% in just six appearances.
His full season count provides better context for his abilities.
During the 2022-23 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Melton averaged 10.1 points per game, showing consistent two-way production, shooting 39% from the 3-point range.
For the Warriors, Melton’s statistical contributions represent only part of his appeal.
Draymond Greene previously highlighted Melton’s attitudes and behavior as an equally valuable asset to the team’s chemistry and culture.