De’Anthony Melton is poised to start next to Stephen Curry for the Golden State Warriors, according to longtime NBC Sports Bay Area columnist Monte Poole. While the Jonathan Kuminga contract situation remains unresolved, Melton has been working out at the Warriors’ facilities as he prepares for his return from an ACL injury.
“If Melton is cleared, and from what I understand, he has been working out at Chase [Center], the word I was given by somebody who’s seen him is that he’s progressing well, but they don’t know when he’ll be fully cleared,” Poole said on the Dubs Talk podcast. “To me, if Melton is fully cleared, that means he’s able to do the things they need him to do. And if he’s able to do that, he should be the starter.”
Recovering from ACL Injury
Melton, 27, is coming off an ACL injury sustained in November of last year. The veteran guard is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. Before the injury, he averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in six games, including two starts for the Warriors. He played alongside Curry in the backcourt, helping Golden State get off to a 12-2 start.
The injury derailed the Warriors’ momentum. The team slipped to 11th in the Western Conference before executing a trade for Jimmy Butler that helped lift them back into playoff contention. In a twist of roster maneuvers, the Warriors briefly moved Melton to Brooklyn for Dennis Schröder, only to include Schröder in the Butler trade.
Melton’s Path to a Starting Role
Getty Will De’Anthony Melton reunite with the Golden State Warriors?
Now, with the Kuminga situation awaiting resolution, Melton appears poised for a Warriors reunion. He is among four veteran free agents lined up to rejoin the roster. Reports indicate that Al Horford is expected to start at center, Gary Payton II will return, and Seth Curry is set to reunite with his brother, Steph.
Poole believes Melton has the strongest chance to start next to Curry in the backcourt. “You want someone next to Steph who can—someone who’s a two-way player,” Poole said. “Buddy [Hield] tries on defense, but he’s not a great defender. He gives effort, but he doesn’t feel the defensive floor like De’Anthony Melton does. Melton is a good on-ball defender and also has a good feel for team defense.
“Podz [Brandin Podziemski] simply doesn’t have the physicality and athleticism to be a great defender like that. He tries, but how many times do you see Podz trying to defend somebody, fouling them, and then looking at the ref like, ‘What did I do?’ Well, you were a step late. You were a little slow.
“So, if Melton’s knee responds well—and like I said, I’ve been told he looks good—whether he’s fully cleared by the time the season starts is still in doubt. But once he is cleared, to me, he has to be the guy, because that lets Steph be Steph.”
Warriors Coach Endorses Melton
Coach Steve Kerr has long been a believer in Melton’s fit alongside Curry. After Melton’s first start with the Warriors last season, Kerr praised the guard’s versatility.
“I think it gives us a really good two-way lineup,” Kerr said in November of last year. “You saw what [Melton] could do at both ends. He’s a really good passer, an excellent 3-point shooter [and] a really good on-ball defender as well. Melt in the starting lineup is something we’ve talked about a lot in camp and here in the early going. Really liked it. I think it makes a lot of sense for us.”
With Melton, Butler and Draymond Green anchoring the defense, Golden State hopes to build a lineup that can protect Curry while maintaining offensive firepower. As the Warriors await clarity on Kuminga’s contract, Melton’s health and readiness could be the key to their backcourt stability and championship aspirations.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Warriors Insider Names Top FA Guard Poised to Start Next to Curry appeared first on Heavy Sports.