Warriors send Kuminga, Melton to Santa Cruz as they rehab knee injuries

De’Anthony Melton’s season debut for the Warriors could be coming soon as the team assigned him to its G League affiliate in Santa Cruz on Wednesday along with Jonathan Kuminga and Gui Santos.


Melton is rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered last November while with the Warriors. He was traded to the Nets after the injury but returned over the summer as a free agent.

Kuminga has missed the Warriors’ last six games after exiting their Nov. 12 game in San Antonio with knee soreness. Coach Steve Kerr told reporters Tuesday that Kuminga had participated in 3-on-3 sessions and would likely get some 5-on-5 work on Wednesday before Golden State’s game against the Houston Rockets.

The 23-year-old forward started strong out of the gate this season, but struggled for a few games before the injury. He is averaging career highs in rebounds (6.6) and assists (2.8) after re-signing with the Warriors on a two-year, $46.8 million contract just before the season as a restricted free agent.

Melton, 27, will figure into the guard rotation and could become a starter for the Warriors once he returns to the NBA team. He drew rave reviews from teammates and the coaching staff last year before the knee injury, starting alongside Steph Curry in the Golden State backcourt.

He’ll compete with Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield and rookie Will Richard for minutes among the guards.

Santos’ spot in the rotation has shrunk compared to last year as he’s averaging just 7.4 minutes per game. Sending him to Santa Cruz may afford him more playing time to stay sharp for the next time the Warriors need him.

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