Golden State Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton will be re-evaluated in four weeks as he continues to recover from a torn left ACL, keeping the 27-year-old out for at least the opening week of the 2025-26 season.
Targeting a November Comeback
Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters Wednesday, via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, that the club hopes Melton can return “in the next couple of months,” suggesting a possible November debut.
Injury Timeline and Early Production
Melton signed a one-year, $12.8 million contract with Golden State during the 2024 offseason but played only six games—two as a starter—before suffering the injury on Nov. 12. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 40.7 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from three and 62.5 percent at the line.
The Warriors traded Melton to the Brooklyn Nets in December. After the move, he told local media he harbored no ill will, noting that “business is business.”
The former USC standout also missed considerable time in 2023-24 with a back issue and has appeared in just 14 regular-season and playoff games since January 2024.
New Deal Features Player Option and Trade Restriction
Earlier Wednesday, Melton re-signed with Golden State on a two-year, $6.5 million contract that includes a player option for 2026-27 and a trade restriction, according to Spotrac. Any trade involving the guard cannot occur before Jan. 1, 2026.
Additional Roster Moves
The Warriors also finalized signings of Al Horford and Gary Payton II after resolving Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency. Kuminga agreed Tuesday to a two-year, $48.5 million deal with a second-year team option, choosing that structure over a proposed three-year, $75 million contract.
Free-agent guard Seth Curry, younger brother of Stephen Curry, accepted a one-year contract with Golden State. The 35-year-old averaged 6.5 points in 15.6 minutes per game for the Charlotte Hornets last season.
The Warriors open the 2025-26 campaign on Oct. 21 against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Source: Basketball Insiders
