In a stunning turn of events that flips the script on the Golden State Warriors’ narrow 119-116 defeat to the Utah Jazz on Monday, head coach Steve Kerr delivered bombshell news that’s got fans buzzing: De’Anthony Melton is set to suit up for Tuesday’s showdown against the Chicago Bulls. That’s right—this marks the first time this season Melton will grind through both games of a back-to-back, signaling a full-throttle return to form and rendering that Jazz slip-up nothing more than a minor blip.
Melton, who logged a solid 20 minutes against Utah, is shattering expectations after his devastating ACL tear back in December 2024. He made his triumphant comeback exactly 12 months later in December 2025, and since then, he’s been a model of consistency. Out of the seven games he’s sat out post-debut, six were strategically timed around back-to-backs to protect his recovery—either skipping the opener or the follow-up. But now? Kerr’s green light means Melton’s ready to unleash his full potential without those chains.
Looking back at Monday’s clash, it’s hard not to speculate: Did Kerr hold Melton back to save him for the Bulls? The guard exploded for 22 points in just 20 minutes, leaving fans wondering if a few extra ticks on the clock could’ve sealed the win. Hindsight is 20/20, but Kerr’s cautious approach now looks genius—preserving Melton for a night when the Warriors are poised to have their full arsenal, including Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis back in action.
This isn’t just about one game; it’s a massive boost for a squad that’s been navigating injuries and rotations all season. Melton’s previous 25-minute cap has been history since February 24, with him clocking 27+ minutes in three outings, peaking at nearly 30. His resilience is paying dividends, and Tuesday could be the spark that ignites a Warriors surge.
Melton Contract Situation Looming
Let’s cut to the chase: The Warriors are desperate to lock in Melton for next season—and who wouldn’t be? According to Cleaning the Glass, he tops the team in net rating by a landslide. He’s seamlessly meshed with superstars like Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, stepping up big when they’ve been sidelined. Averaging a career-best 12.7 points per game, Melton’s efficiency might hover at 41.3% from the field, but his elite on-ball defense remains a game-wrecker.
With a player option worth a mere $3.5 million on the table for next year, Melton’s all but certain to opt out and hit free agency, eyeing the non-taxpayer mid-level exception around $15.1 million. Golden State could pony up, but it comes with strings—triggering a hard cap at the first apron, which might hamstring efforts to retain Kristaps Porzingis or chase other free agents.
Even bigger? Splurging on Melton could slam the door on blockbuster pursuits like LeBron James or Giannis Antetokounmpo, thanks to those apron complications. No doubt, Melton’s worth every penny of that $15.1M tag. But in a cap-strapped offseason, will the Dubs—or any team—step up? One thing’s for sure: With Melton firing on all cylinders, that Jazz loss? Already forgotten. The Warriors’ future just got a whole lot brighter.