De'Anthony Melton might just be the best bargain in the NBA right now-and the Warriors are reaping the rewards.
In Golden State’s 136-116 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night at Chase Center, Melton once again showed why his $3.1 million deal is looking like one of the savviest signings of the offseason. Coming off the bench and still operating under a minutes restriction, the 27-year-old guard dropped a season-high 24 points in just over 21 minutes of action.
He shot an efficient 8-of-16 from the field, knocked down three of his six attempts from deep, and was perfect from the line (5-for-5). Add in six rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a game-high +24, and it’s clear-Melton isn’t just filling a role.
He’s changing games.
The Warriors are now +148 in Melton’s 281 minutes over the last 15 games, a stretch that’s seen them go 11-4 and play their best basketball of the season. That’s not a coincidence. Melton’s impact has been felt on both ends of the floor, and he’s doing it all while coming off a long-term knee injury that had many wondering how much he had left in the tank.
Well, wonder no more.
Melton’s early-season shooting struggles seem like a distant memory. A career 37% shooter from beyond the arc, his shot is back in rhythm.
But what’s really turned heads is how explosive he looks off the dribble. He’s attacking the rim with confidence and quickness, showing off the kind of burst that suggests he’s not just recovered-he’s thriving.
And here’s the kicker: he’s doing all this on a near-minimum contract.
Credit where it’s due-Golden State’s front office, led by Mike Dunleavy Jr., took a calculated risk bringing Melton back after trading him to Brooklyn following last season’s injury. That move could’ve burned a bridge, but clearly, the relationship remained strong.
Melton originally signed with the Warriors on a one-year, $12.5 million deal in the 2024 offseason. After the injury and trade, he returned on a much smaller deal-just $3.1 million this season, with a $3.5 million player option for next year.
That option? Yeah, that’s probably getting declined.
Melton’s current form suggests he’ll have no shortage of suitors this summer, and the Warriors will have to think long and hard about how they can keep him in the Bay long-term. For now, though, they’re getting elite-level production at a bargain-bin price-and in a season where roster flexibility matters more than ever, that’s gold.
There’s still work to be done. The front office is under pressure to make the right move with Jonathan Kuminga as the trade deadline approaches. But while that storyline unfolds, Melton’s emergence has been a bright spot-and a reminder that sometimes, the best moves aren’t the loudest ones.
Right now, De’Anthony Melton is proving that value isn’t just about dollars-it’s about impact. And for the Warriors, his impact has been undeniable.