The Golden State Warriors have reached an agreement to re-sign free-agent guard De’Anthony Melton to a two-year, $11 million contract that includes a player option for the second season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Cap analyst Yossi Gozlan reports that Melton will be absorbed into the club’s bi-annual exception. By opting out next summer, the 28-year-old could leverage newly earned Early Bird rights for a larger payday in 2027.
Using the bi-annual exception places Golden State under a hard cap at the NBA’s first apron, leaving roughly $26.6 million in spending room and five open roster spots.
Gozlan adds that the Warriors preserved their non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which the front office is saving in hopes of pursuing LeBron James.
Melton secures a modest raise for 2026-27 after declining a $3,451,779 player option earlier in the week. Despite speculation he might depart — with Phoenix cited as a contender — the combo guard returns to a rotation that aims to regain championship form.
The USC product missed the start of last season while finishing ACL rehab, but still produced career highs of 12.3 points, along with 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals over 49 games (24 starts). He connected on 50.5% of his two-point attempts and 82.6% from the line but struggled from deep at 29.4%, well below his 38.3% mark over the previous five campaigns.
Source: Hoops Rumors
