As NBA free agency approaches, two of the league’s most storied franchises, the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are reportedly circling one of the league’s most underrated defensive specialists: De’Anthony Melton.
Both teams are expected to undergo significant roster reshaping this offseason, and Melton’s name has quietly emerged as a low-cost, high-upside option.
According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors have identified Melton as a potential target. Meanwhile, Lakers insider Jovan Buha has echoed similar interest from the purple and gold, suggesting both franchises are weighing the former Sixer as a possible backcourt addition.
Melton, just 26, fits the mold of a buy-low candidate with proven two-way value. His 2024-25 season was marred by a torn ACL after playing just six games, during which he averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals on efficient shooting splits 40.7% from the field and a strong 37.1% from three. Following his injury, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets but didn’t log a single minute with them.
Though durability concerns linger, Melton’s track record before his injury paints a clearer picture.
He was a vital piece on the Memphis Grizzlies during their rise and later flourished with the Philadelphia 76ers, carving out a niche as a perimeter pest who could guard both guard spots, knock down open threes, and contribute as a secondary playmaker.
His defensive versatility is his calling card. Melton routinely guarded the opposing team’s best perimeter threat, and his quick hands and off-ball awareness made him a disruptive force.
For teams like the Lakers and Warriors, both of whom struggled on the defensive end against quicker guards in the 2025 playoffs, adding a player like Melton is as much about fixing a structural weakness as it is about rounding out their rotations.
Financially, Melton earned over $12 million last season but is expected to command a far smaller deal this time around due to his injury and lack of availability. League insiders suggest he may sign a short-term “prove-it” deal one or two years in length, in hopes of rebuilding his market value before hitting free agency again in his late 20s.
That could be ideal for contenders like the Lakers and Warriors. Both teams are capped out, but either could squeeze Melton into their plans using part of their mid-level exception or a veteran minimum deal with incentives.
For Golden State, he’d fit nicely alongside Stephen Curry and potentially replace some of the defensive energy lost in recent years. For the Lakers, Melton could slide into a crucial bench role or even start alongside Luka Doncic and LeBron James, giving JJ Redick a much-needed perimeter stopper.
With the market for elite defense at a premium, De’Anthony Melton could be one of the smartest signings of the summer. If he returns to form, both the Lakers and Warriors may look back on this as a quiet move that paid championship-level dividends.
