Golden State Warriors free agent addition De’Anthony Melton is fitting in with his new team just fine, so says the man himself. The six-year NBA veteran recently opened up on his summer free agency journey and revealed what elements drew him to sign in Golden State.
Off-Season Free Agent Add De’Anthony Melton Wants to Win
Melton Excited to Contribute Defensively
Former Philadelphia 76ers point guard De’Anthony Melton enjoyed several suitors during this summer’s free agency, but ultimately decided to jump in the same boat occupied by Steph Curry on a one-year, $12.8 million deal in The Bay.
Melton spent the past two seasons with the Sixers and before that, with Memphis and Phoenix. Now with the Warriors, he joins up with a team that lost one of their biggest superstars of the past decade, Klay Thompson, to free agency. The Warriors did their best to fill the holes in their roster by signing a few reliable role pieces. Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, and Melton were those said players. According to Melton, the Warriors second-year GM, Mike Dunleavy Jr., swayed Melton the right way. While sitting down with Golden State’s radio play-by-play announcer during the team’s preseason stint in Hawaii, Melton spoke about why he chose the Warriors and how he feels he fits with the illustrious franchise.
“I picked Golden State because it felt like a perfect fit for me,” Melton explained. “The way I play, and also in terms of their needs. [Mike] Dunleavy, he really came to me, at the start of free agency, expressed to me what the team needed to get back to the top.”
Melton would also discuss what he brings to the defensive side of things. The Warriors have made it a point to return to being a top defensive team this season. Melton is confident that he can contribute to that area at a high level.
Championship Pedigree Over the Field
Melton had options to sign elsewhere this summer. However, he landed on the Warriors as the best possible spot. His reasoning? Their winning and consistent competitive nature as a franchise. He pointed out that the Warriors are always in the hunt despite a few not-so-great regular seasons of late. However, Melton expressed his respect for the team’s 2022 championship, furthering his present feelings about the team.
“In 2022, I don’t think nobody really thought they were going to get there, but they did,” he continued. “So, this team shows that they can win, and that’s how I like to play, you know, winning basketball and having fun, shooting threes, getting out in transition.”
Now, the realistic chances of the Warriors reaching and winning the NBA Finals this season is another debate for another time. However, Melton sees his fit with the style of play as perfect. The Warriors are a relatively fast-paced (12th in the league last season), transition-focused, and three-point driven team. Melton is all in for that game plan, it would appear.
The Warriors free agent acquisition is in a position I’m sure many guards around the league envy: sharing the backcourt with Curry. So far, the two have played well together side by side. While he’s excited to enjoy that ride, it’s also good to know that he is focused on winning. Winning is something the Warriors need to do this year to stay competitive in the West.
