With only nine regular-season games left and at least one play-in contest still to come, the Golden State Warriors are fighting to keep their season alive. For veteran guard De’Anthony Melton, this stretch could mark the final chapter of his current chapter in a Warriors uniform.
The 27-year-old (turning 28 in May) holds a player option for next season, and after delivering a career-high 13.0 points in under 23 minutes per game, it would not be surprising if he opts out in search of a larger contract this summer.
Melton addressed his future openly during an appearance on 95.7’s “Steiny and Guru” on Thursday afternoon.
“I’ve been in this league a decent amount of time,” Melton said. “So, eight years is a lot of time. I’ve put in a lot of time and effort and work into this. I think that should be rewarded and I think, for anybody, you put in that much time, effort, work and you’ve seen the results and you’ve seen how impactful you are and what you have done, like I said, you want to be rewarded for that. So, whatever comes with it, comes with it, but end of the day you want to get rewarded for your services.”
Melton’s Impact This Season
Despite struggling with his three-point shot (shooting just 28.8% from deep), Melton has been a steady contributor for the Warriors. He leads the team in steals per game (1.6) and has provided consistent scoring and defensive energy off the bench.
He has been particularly hot of late, scoring 20 or more points in six of his last 13 games. That late-season surge comes at a critical time for a Warriors team desperately trying to secure play-in positioning while dealing with multiple injuries.
Melton originally joined the Warriors via trade from the Brooklyn Nets last season while he was injured. He returned to Golden State on a two-year deal that included his player option for 2026-27. Now, with a strong body of work this year, he is expected to draw meaningful interest from other teams this summer.
What It Means for the Warriors
The Warriors face difficult roster decisions this offseason. They are already thin on reliable wings and guards, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Stephen Curry’s long-term timeline and the need to manage the salary cap carefully. Losing Melton — a player who brings defense, energy, and occasional scoring punch — would create another hole to fill.
However, if Melton exercises his player option or seeks a larger deal elsewhere, Golden State will have to decide whether to match offers or let him walk in free agency. His recent production suggests he has earned a meaningful raise, but the Warriors’ financial flexibility is limited.
For now, Melton’s focus remains on helping the Warriors make the most of their final regular-season games and the play-in tournament. His late-season scoring surge has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year for the franchise.
Warriors fans, how do you feel about De’Anthony Melton potentially opting out this summer? Would you like to see the team try to re-sign him on a reasonable deal, or is it time to move on and use the cap space elsewhere?
The Warriors’ roster construction for 2026-27 is already shaping up to be one of the more important offseasons in recent memory.