Payton, Melton pledge to Warriors as free agents
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Free-agent guards Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton have committed to join the Golden State Warriors, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025.
The pair joins veteran forward Al Horford, who also committed earlier in the day. All three agreements are expected to be finalized once restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga decides whether to sign Golden State’s qualifying offer for next season. Kuminga has until Oct. 1 to make that decision, according to a source.
Golden State is additionally signing Will Richards—the No. 56 pick in this year’s draft—to a four-year deal, agents Jared Mucha and Marcus Monk of Excel Sports Management told ESPN. Richards was a starting guard for the national-champion Florida Gators last season.
Both Payton and Melton spent time with the Warriors a year ago. Melton, 27, appeared in just six games before an ACL injury and was later traded to Brooklyn, where he completed his rehabilitation. When healthy, the 6-foot-4 guard is regarded as a versatile defender who can also space the floor and initiate offense. Injuries have limited him to 44 games over the past two seasons.
Payton, 32, enjoyed his healthiest campaign since 2021-22, suiting up for 62 regular-season games and 11 playoff contests. The 6-foot-2 guard has been a trusted reserve under coach Steve Kerr since helping Golden State win the 2022 championship and, except for a brief stint in Portland, has spent most of the past five years with the Warriors. He is coming off the three-year, $26 million contract he signed with the Trail Blazers in 2022.
Payton, the son of Hall of Famer Gary Payton, is known for defending multiple positions and finishing plays near the rim despite his size.
Source: ESPN
