Latest news with #DeAnthonyMelton
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warriors Expected To Sign 2 Key Free Agents While Still Having Interest In Former All-Star
Warriors Expected To Sign 2 Key Free Agents While Still Having Interest In Former All-Star originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Golden State Warriors are the only NBA team yet to make a move in free agency in 2025, but that could change soon. NBA insider Marc Stein stated during an appearance on Willard & Dibs on Tuesday that he expects the Warriors to sign Al Horford and De'Anthony Melton, and added they're still interested in Bradley Beal. "My expectation is that one way or the other, the Warriors are going to end up with both Horford and Melton on their roster," Stein said. "[And] they still have interest in Bradley Beal." The Horford saga has dragged on for longer than anyone anticipated. The Warriors had expected the veteran to sign with them over a week ago, but he didn't. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Atlanta Hawks were also showing interest in Horford, for whom retirement was still touted as a possibility. It now once again looks like Horford will be a Warrior. The 39-year-old would be a solid addition. Horford averaged 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game for the Boston Celtics in 2024-25. The five-time All-Star isn't the player he once was, but still has a positive impact whenever he steps onto the court. Speaking of making a positive impact, that's just what Melton did for the Warriors in 2024-25. The 27-year-old averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game last season but tore his ACL after featuring just six times and was later traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The injury was a significant blow to the Warriors, and they were never quite able to replace Melton. It will be interesting to see if the 3-and-D guard is able to replicate his performances from last season post the injury. While Horford and Melton are free agents, Beal has not hit the open market just yet. The Phoenix Suns and the three-time All-Star still haven't agreed on a buyout but are expected to do so sooner rather than later. Beal averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game for the Suns in 2024-25. The 32-year-old can provide the Warriors with a spark off the bench, and they could certainly use that. While Horford, Melton, and Beal would be good additions, two of the three are in their 30s. There has been talk about the Warriors being too old to win a title, and that narrative won't be going away with these acquisitions. Stephen Curry was recently asked about that chatter and had a strong response. 'We've heard it for even before the '22 championship,' Curry said. "We heard it, so to the point like it's all it all comes down to health. I mean, if you look at every team, [Oklahoma City] had a relatively healthy run. And that's what you need. Like, vets get through a regular season. Try to be in a position where we're not chasing anything down the stretch.' Curry's suffering a hamstring injury against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Conference Semifinals last season led to the Warriors' elimination in five games. You wonder how differently their postseason would have panned out had the injury bug not struck. Curry believes the Warriors have another title run in them and they should make some noise next season, provided they're relatively healthy. Will they win it all? That seems story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Warriors Could Sign Former Guard After New Lakers Report
Warriors Could Sign Former Guard After New Lakers Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Things have been deafeningly quiet in the Bay Area during what should be the most exciting time of the NBA's offseason calendar. The Golden State Warriors have not gotten in on the fun in of the free agency frenzy at all. That could change soon. Advertisement The Warriors have had their hands tied with the Jonathan Kuminga situation. They are also eagerly awaiting the decision on what Al Horford does with his future. Now, there is a more underrated name that has been tossed into the mix here. Nov 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (8) drives beside Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images© David Richard-Imagn Images The Warriors did not get to see a lot of De'Anthony Melton in their jersey last season. The two-way guard suffered a torn ACL, limiting him to only six games in the Bay Area. Melton was ultimately dealt away from the Warriors in the deal that briefly brought Dennis Schroder to town. Schroder did not have a long or impactful stay in Golden State either. Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and shot 37.1 percent from beyond the arc in his small handful of outings with the Warriors. The front office may want a second crack at seeing if this relationship can work. Advertisement The Los Angeles Lakers have been a team that has been linked to Melton a ton in free agency thus far. However, Lakers insider Jovan Buha said things are losing momentum on that front. Meanwhile, for the Warriors, they are picking up. "The chatter with Melton and the Lakers has cooled over the last few days," Buha stated. "There's actually been more buzz with him and the Warriors. He's been linked to them a little bit more." Melton's ability to knock down shots and hold his own on the defensive end should make him an easy plug-and-play for the Warriors. If his abilities have not been dampened too much by his recent injury, this move would be worth running back for Golden State. Related: Warriors' Al Horford Pursuit Ignores Concerning Report Staring Them in the Face Related: Draymond Green Sounds Off on NBA CBA After Free Agency This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Set To Miss Out On 3-And-D Guard In Race With Western Rivals
Lakers Set To Miss Out On 3-And-D Guard In Race With Western Rivals originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to free agent guard De'Anthony Melton in recent weeks, but it appears they are set to miss out on him. Lakers insider Jovan Buha reports there is more buzz now about Melton going to the Golden State Warriors instead of coming to Los Angeles. Advertisement "The chatter with Melton and the Lakers has cooled over the last few days," Buha said. "There has actually been more buzz with him and the Warriors. He's been linked to them a little bit more." The Warriors had signed Melton to a one-year, $12.8 million deal on the mid-level exception in free agency in 2024. He got off to a promising start, averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, but tore his ACL after featuring just six times for them. The Warriors traded Melton to the Brooklyn Nets in December 2024, and it looks like a reunion is now on the cards. He would be a fine addition, as he showed last year, and missing out on him would be a blow to the Lakers. Buha isn't the only one reporting that a deal is unlikely, as Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus has mentioned the same. "Some of the buzz linking him to the Los Angeles Lakers has died down in recent weeks." Advertisement A 3-and-D guard like Melton, who has shot 38.3% from beyond the arc over the last five seasons, is exactly what the Lakers need. They lack quality perimeter defenders, and he'd be just what the doctor ordered. The Lakers' need for defenders has only heightened following Dorian Finney-Smith's departure in free agency. Melton would have helped ease that blow, but they have to look elsewhere now. Lakers' President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka had stated that getting a center and a defensive wing were their top priorities this offseason. Pelinka has managed to bring in Deandre Ayton to be the starting center next season, but hasn't brought in that wing defender just yet. The Lakers have signed Jake LaRavia, and while he can hold his own, he isn't exactly a defensive stopper. They did draft Adou Thiero with the 36th pick, and while he could potentially be a fine wing defender one day, it's unlikely he'll be making a huge impact as a rookie. Advertisement So, it will be interesting to see who Pelinka brings in. The Lakers do have the assets to trade for a quality wing defender in the form of Dalton Knecht and their draft picks. Getting back to the Warriors, Melton would be their first signing in free agency if they do indeed strike a deal. They are the only team that hasn't signed or traded for a player yet this offseason. Their only additions so far have been Alex Toohey and Will Richard via the draft. To go with Melton, the Warriors have also been heavily linked to Al Horford. Horford is still assessing his options, though, with the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets being the other leading contenders to acquire him, according to The Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach. Retirement is an option as well, and those teams would be hoping he doesn't go down that route. Related: Rob Pelinka Explains Why Jake LaRavia Is The Perfect Signing For Lakers This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers Receive Unfortunate News on Free Agency Target
Lakers Receive Unfortunate News on Free Agency Target originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Lakers have had some good news and bad news this offseason. Most notably, they signed Deandre Ayton as their starting center for eight million next season, but also lost Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets. Advertisement With Finney-Smith no longer on the team, the Lakers must turn to potential replacements. One option is De'Anthony Melton, who has been linked to Los Angeles. The rumblings were so strong that Jake Fischer reported last Thursday that "we're just still expecting he will eventually sign with the Lakers." Melton only appeared in six games for the Golden State Warriors last season before tearing his ACL, but he averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 37.1% from three. After suffering his season-ending injury, they traded him for Dennis Schroder. Golden State Warriors guard De'Anthony Melton (8)© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Melton would make sense as a Finney-Smith replacement, but as it turns out, he may not be a Laker after all next season. Marc Stein reported that the Warriors appear to be the Melton free agency sweepstakes leaders. Advertisement "The Warriors have emerged as a strong contender to bring back De'Anthony Melton in free agency, league sources tell (Stein), in addition to Golden State's well-chronicled interest in signing Al Horford," Stein wrote. The Warriors technically have not signed anyone yet this offseason, but have lost Kevon Looney, as he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. Adding Melton and Horford to a team that was up 1-0 in the Western Conference Semifinals before Stephen Curry's hamstring injury would make it a successful offseason for them. If Melton is off the table for Los Angeles, they could turn to Gary Payton II and Amir Coffey as potential Finney-Smith replacements. Advertisement Related: Lakers Trade Report Surfaces During Summer League Related: Russell Westbrook's NBA Future Receives Update After Bradley Beal News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sources: Lakers' next targets after Deandre Ayton contract agreement
The post Sources: Lakers' next targets after Deandre Ayton contract agreement appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Lakers and Deandre Ayton have agreed to a contract after the seven-year veteran was bought out Monday by the Portland Trail Blazers. According to sources close to the team, they're focus will now shift to wings and further center depth, whether that can be found on the free agency or trade markets. Ayton had been deciding between the Indiana Pacers, Lakers, and Golden State Warriors. Advertisement While Ayton was the most talented big on the market, sources say the Lakers are somewhat split internally on whether he should be considered their starting center. Ideally, they would like to land someone around his talent level with a different skill set – floor spacing, especially – but the key term used most often when describing their intentions at the position has been 'depth.' Sources say Ayton's deal will take up the remainder of the non-taxpayer midlevel exception this year with a player option for the second. The Lakers now have their bi-annual exception and veteran minimum contracts to hand out. De'Anthony Melton and Al Horford are among the names linked to the Lakers, but Melton is considered the likelier addition. Melton is obviously more of a guard, but he plays bigger than he's listed and would immediately become the best point of attack defender they've had in years. As trade assets go, the Lakers still have Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber's expiring contracts. They can still trade their own first-round pick in either 2031 or 2032. Dalton Knecht's name has come up in plenty of trade discussions this summer after he was sent out in that infamously rescinded Mark Williams deal last season. Rui Hachimura is a popular target of other teams who call the Lakers, as well. Austin Reaves, even after turning down a max extension to remain with the Lakers, is not considered likely to be moved. In terms of those conversations, as previously reported, the Lakers have been in touch with the Portland Trail Blazers about Robert Williams and the Miami Heat about Andrew Wiggins. Sources say those talks hit snags, and then the Lakers' focus was drawn to their pursuit of Ayton. They can pick up at any time, and Rob Pelinka speaks with Joe Cronin particularly often. Advertisement Another name league sources have linked to the Lakers: Cam Whitmore. If Houston decides to shed a little salary or if they expand the Kevin Durant trade to include their acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith, Whitmore – who is looking for a larger role than he'd have on that loaded Rockets roster – is considered a candidate to be moved. Many in the Lakers' draft room liked Whitmore coming out of Villanova in 2023, but the Lakers wound up selecting Jalen Hood-Schifino after concerns over Whitmore's health history scared enough people in the organization. Ironically, Hood-Schifino hardly ever played for the Lakers because of his own health issues. At the center position, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported the Lakers' interest in Yves Missi of the New Orleans Pelicans. According to sources close to the team, the Lakers were ready to select Missi in last year's draft but pivoted when Knecht fell to them. Still, he has plenty of fans in the organization, though, coming off a strong rookie season, he wouldn't be cheap. Nick Richards is another target for the Lakers, though it does seem more likely he'd be bought out or waived than have any team give up anything for him. As has become a trend with players on expiring contracts in this CBA, teams that believe it at all likely a player might reach the buyout market are opting to wait for that rather than sending anything in a trade. He's also a candidate to be included in an expansive sign-and-trade. Advertisement Does any of this mean the Lakers are definitely going to trade for all of these players? Obviously not. The point is to show what the Lakers are aiming to do and the types of players they're positioning themselves for. Point being: Pelinka is still very active after pulling off the Ayton acquisition and has more leverage in discussions as a result of the signing now that teams can't just assume they're desperate for anyone at the position. Related: Lakers rumors: Sam Amick reveals 'potentially problematic' LeBron James scenario Related: NBA rumors: LeBron James will 'never wear Clippers uniform'
