Low Risk, High Reward! Melton Could Return on Minimum Deal to Pair with Curry

Warriors Eye Low-Risk, High-Reward Reunion with De'Anthony Melton

*According to Warriors insider Anthony Slater, the 26-year-old guard could return to Golden State on a minimum deal to reunite with Steph Curry.*

For the Warriors, this past season was a rollercoaster—their impressive 12-2 start now feels like a distant memory. Yet even in that brief stretch, Melton made his mark. The guard appeared in just six games before suffering a season-ending injury, but this offseason presents an opportunity for a reunion.

Though Melton started only two games alongside Curry, those contests were telling:
✅ A road win over the Thunder
✅ A dominant victory vs. Dallas in Klay’s return to Chase Center

In those two starts, Melton averaged 16.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG, and 3.0 APG while knocking down 7 threes—before tearing his ACL in the closing minutes against the Mavericks.

The Financial Angle
Slater notes that Golden State originally signed Melton to a one-year, mid-level exception last summer. This time, he could return at a lower cost:
"Honestly, I think Melton is a vet-minimum target. He’s very appealing to the Warriors."

After his injury, the Warriors traded Melton’s contract to Brooklyn for Dennis Schröder, who was later flipped in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler deal.

The Big Questions

1. Relationship Status: How does Melton feel about being traded so quickly?

2. Health: "If he did tear his ACL, can we even expect him ready by opening night?" Slater pondered.

Why It Makes Sense

• Low Risk: A minimum deal carries no long-term burden.

• High Reward: When healthy, Melton is a proven 3-and-D fit in Steve Kerr’s system.

• Roster Flexibility: The Warriors can afford to be patient, especially with plans to load-manage Curry, Butler, and Draymond.

Final Thought
With Golden State needing to maximize every roster spot, a Melton reunion—if healthy—could be a stealthy win.