The Warriors are finalizing a trade to send Melton (knee) to the Nets along with three second-round picks in exchange for Dennis Schroder and one second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Melton recently had season-ending surgery to address a sprained ACL in his left knee. As a result, the Warriors have been looking to add a new playmaker in the backcourt. With the Nets focusing on building for the future, they have decided to deal the veteran Schroder and take on Melton to match his salary. Although the trade can't be finalized until Sunday, Melton will continue focusing on recovering for the 2024-25 campaign but will do so in a new location.
Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Getting season-ending surgery
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The Warriors announced Wednesday that Melton will undergo season-ending surgery to address a sprained ACL in his left knee.
Melton had already missed two games with the knee sprain, but the Warriors had sent him in for further testing before deciding on a treatment plan. After weighing his options, Melton decided it was in his best interest to undergo surgery, thus spelling an end to his first season in Golden State. He played in just six games (two starts) for the Warriors and averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.2 three-pointers and 1.2 steals across 20.2 minutes. His absence for the rest of the season will ease some of the crowding in the Golden State wing rotation a bit, with all of Lindy Waters, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody and Gary Payton perhaps picking up a few extra minutes sans Melton. The 26-year-old is scheduled to become a free agent next summer.
The Warriors announced Thursday that Melton has been diagnosed with a sprained ACL in his left knee. He'll miss Friday's game against the Grizzlies, and further updates on his status will provided when available.
Golden State isn't yet offering up a firm timetable for Melton's return, as he's scheduled to undergo further testing before the team offers more clarity. In any case, given that Melton is dealing with structural damage to his knee, fantasy managers should prepare for him to miss multiple weeks, even if he ultimately avoids surgery. The loss of Melton should ease some of the crowding in Golden State's wing rotation, potentially opening up more minutes for the likes of Buddy Hield, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, among others.
Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Dazzles in first start
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Melton scored 19 points (5-11 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 4-6 FT) and added 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists across 27 minutes Sunday in the Warriors' 127-116 win over the Thunder.
Melton missed five straight games with a right lower back strain before returning to action in Friday's loss to the Cavaliers in a reserve role, but head coach Steve Kerr opted to swap Melton into the starting five Sunday as a replacement for Gary Payton. The 26-year-old capitalized on the opportunity, notching an impressive all-around line en route to finishing with his fourth career double-double. After the win, Kerr confirmed that he intends to keep Melton in the starting five going forward, according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, making Melton worthy of a look in 12-team leagues or deeper where he might be available. The Warriors still appear committed to running a deep rotation that often includes 11 or 12 men, however, which could make Melton's minutes somewhat volatile from game to game. Melton may have benefited from a boosted minutes total Sunday in part due to the Warriors running more small-ball lineups to counter the Thunder, who lost star center Chet Holmgren (hip) to injury in the first quarter.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Starting Sunday
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Melton is in the Warriors' starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Thunder.
Melton will make his first start of the 2024-25 regular season Sunday as Gary Payton retreats to the bench. Melton missed five straight games due to a back injury, but he came off the bench Friday against the Cavaliers and finished that game with 10 points, three assists and two rebounds across 18 minutes.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Receives 18 minutes in return
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Melton (back) recorded 10 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt), three assists and two rebounds across 18 minutes in Friday's 136-117 loss to the Cavaliers.
Making his return from a five-game absence due to a right lower back strain, Melton was part of a messy 12-man rotation which -- along with the blowout -- suppressed the minutes of all Warriors players. Though Stephen Curry shouldn't be in danger of falling below the 30-minute threshold in competitive contests, players like Melton could struggle to see enough playing time to deliver consistent fantasy value outside of deep leagues so long as head coach Steve Kerr keeps the 12-man rotation in place. The Warriors had entered Friday with a 7-1 record before being thoroughly outplayed by the Cavaliers and trailing by 41 points at halftime, so Kerr could look to shake up the team's substitution patterns heading into Sunday's matchup with the Thunder.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Gets green light Friday
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Melton (back) is available to play in Friday's game against Cleveland.
Melton will return to game action after missing five consecutive matchups due to a strained back. The 26-year-old has received fairly significant playing time off the bench through only three regular-season appearances, during which he averaged 6.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 16.7 minutes per game. The club will likely choose to work Melton back to form slowly, though he could see extended playing time if Brandin Podziemski (illness) is unavailable.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Warming up with intention to play
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Coach Steve Kerr said that Melton (back), who is questionable for Friday's game versus the Cavaliers, will go through warmups before a decision is made on his availability, Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Melton is in jeopardy of missing his sixth straight game due to a strained back. The 26-year-old's status will remain something to monitor ahead of tipoff at 7:30 p.m. ET. However, if Melton is unable to suit up, Gary Payton is a candidate for an uptick in playing time.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Questionable for Friday
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Melton (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Cavaliers.
Melton is in danger of missing his sixth straight contest Friday while dealing with a strained back. While the 26-year-old guard has returned to 3-on-3 practice, it's unclear when he will see game action.
Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Set for re-evaluation Thursday
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Melton (back) participated in 3-on-3 scrimmaging at Wednesday's practice and will be re-evaluated Thursday in advance of Friday's contest versus Cleveland, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
Melton has been sidelined since Oct. 27 due to a lower back strain and subsequent inflammation. The 26-year-old dealt with a different series of back injuries last season, which may lead the Warriors to exercise abundant caution, but Melton appears to be firmly trending in the right direction while dealing with nothing more than a strain. It's unclear if he'll need to ascend to 5-v-5 action prior to returning.
Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Out another three games
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Melton (back) will miss Golden State's next three contests, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
Melton is dealing with inflammation in his lower back that will force him to extend his absence streak to at least five games. In his absence, Lindy Waters and Moses Moody are candidates to continue receiving increased playing time. Melton's next chance to suit up is against Cleveland on Nov. 8.
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Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Remains out Saturday
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Melton (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Rockets.
Melton is dealing with inflammation in his lower back and will miss a third consecutive game Saturday. With the 26-year-old and Stephen Curry (ankle) both out, Lindy Waters and Moses Moody are candidates for an increased role. In three regular-season appearances, Melton has averaged 6.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.7 steals-plus-blocks and 1.3 rebounds across 16.7 minutes per game.
