De’Anthony Melton Nearing Return, and the Warriors Couldn’t Need It More
De’Anthony Melton is on the brink of returning to the floor, and for a Warriors team stuck in neutral at 11-10, his timing couldn’t be better.
After more than a year of grinding through rehab for a torn ACL, Melton is back in the mix at practice, confident that his all-around game can give Golden State a much-needed jolt. And he’s not wrong. The Warriors could use every bit of what he brings - scoring, playmaking, perimeter defense, and perhaps most importantly, poise.
“I’m trying to provide everything - if it’s from shooting, to playmaking, to defense, to IQ - I think I bring all that stuff to the table,” Melton told reporters after Monday’s practice at Chase Center. “And also, just to have a secondary ball handler out there just to help break guys down and kick out at the same time...”
He added, “My ability to shoot and defend is definitely something I think any team can use. So, just bringing all that stuff to the table and just being a smart basketball player too.”
He’s right - those are qualities that fit on any roster. But for this particular Warriors squad, they’re especially valuable.
Golden State’s been searching for stability behind Steph Curry and Draymond Green when it comes to ball-handling duties. Right now, Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer are the only real secondary facilitators coming off the bench.
That’s not a knock on them - they’ve both had their moments - but the rotation lacks depth in that area.
Melton’s return, paired with the recent addition of veteran guard Seth Curry, could help smooth out the second unit’s offensive rhythm. The Warriors are turning the ball over 16.2 times per game - tied for the fifth-most in the league - and that’s not a stat you want to see when your offense is built on movement, timing, and precision.
Then there’s the defense. Golden State’s perimeter coverage has been shaky, and it showed in a big way when Houston Rockets rookie Reed Sheppard torched them for 31 points. Melton’s defensive instincts and quick hands could help shore up that edge-of-the-floor vulnerability, giving the Warriors a much-needed stopper who can switch, stay in front, and disrupt.
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster; I think anyone can attest to that,” Melton said of the team’s up-and-down start to the 2025-26 season.
That’s putting it lightly. The Warriors have hovered around .500 since early November, and while there’s no panic yet, there’s also no denying that this team needs to find some traction. Melton’s return could be the spark that helps them build some momentum on their upcoming road trip.
He hasn’t suited up since early last season, when he played just six games for Golden State before tearing his ACL. The Warriors later moved him to Brooklyn in the deal that brought Dennis Schröder to the Bay. But now he’s back - and if he can stay healthy, he’s got a chance to be a key piece for a team that still believes it can make noise in the West.
Before his injury, Melton was averaging 10.3 points in just over 20 minutes per game. During that stretch, the Warriors were the second-highest scoring team in the league, putting up 121.2 points per contest.
That’s not a coincidence. Melton’s ability to space the floor, push the tempo, and guard multiple positions made him a seamless fit in Steve Kerr’s system.
And Melton isn’t looking too far ahead - he knows the season is still young, and the Warriors have time to get right.
“I think Steve [Kerr] has already said it, we’ve been in similar spots around this point last year, and they still went to the second round with a potential chance to [reach] the Western Conference Finals,” Melton said. “So, I mean, it’s early in the season still. First 21 games, a lot can happen from here on out, and we just got to turn the corner when it’s time.”
That time may be now. With Melton close to returning, the Warriors are getting back a player who can impact the game on both ends of the floor - and help them find the consistency they’ve been searching for all season.