Tag: De’Anthony Melton

‘Wild’ trade idea sends Khris Middleton the Warriors

The ‘wild’ trade proposal would send Khris Middleton to the Golden State Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors have been re-tooling their roster this summer. With Klay Thompson leaving for the Dallas Mavericks, the front office has added Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson to help round out the rotation and provide depth at multiple positions. However, the Warriors did miss out on Lauri Markkanen, who was rumored to be their top trade target.

As such, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz has posited a ‘wild’ trade idea to give the Warriors some additional shooting in the front court, which would inevitably provide some additional floor spacing for Steph Curry in the upcoming season. The trade looks like this:

Warriors get: Khris Middleton

Milwaukee Bucks get: Jerami Grant

Portland Trail Blazers get: Moses Moody and Andrew Wiggins

“The Warriors are essentially swapping Andrew Wiggins for Middleton here, as Moody may not even play much this upcoming season with the additions of Buddy Hield and De’Anthony Melton combined with Brandin Podziemski entering the starting lineup full-time,” Swartz reasoned. “Middleton’s shooting, passing and overall versatility make him a strong fit in Golden State, and the Warriors should be thrilled to get off Wiggins’ contract.”

On paper, adding Middleton makes a lot of sense for Golden State. He would plug multiple gaps, provide high-level scoring and playmaking along with being an above-average defender. However, Middleton has struggled with health in recent seasons, has shown signs of age-related decline and is coming off a summer where he’s been recovering from surgery.

As such, the Warriors would be wise to swerve this hypothetical trade and look elsewhere. Nevertheless, Swartz is right about one thing: any major trade Golden State makes will likely include Wiggins.

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Recent Warriors addition labeled “best new weapon”

The recently acquired guard could be the Golden State Warriors “best new weapon” next season.

The Golden State Warriors have re-tooled their roster following the departure of Klay Thompson at the start of free agency. Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson have all joined the franchise, along with rookie Quinten Post. As such, Steve Kerr’s roster and rotations will look considerably different in the upcoming season.

During a recent article for Bleacher Report, Dan Favale cited Melton as being Golden State’s best new weapon. Melton is a two-way guard who thrives as a primary point-of-attack defender. He’s also a reliable scorer, averaging 41% from the field and 36.9% from the perimeter throughout his career thus far.

“Despite standing only 6’3″, the 26-year-old can defend both guard positions and a bunch of different wings,” Favale wrote. “He saw extensive reps against guys like Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum last season alone. Melton’s screen navigation is relentless, and he’s opportunistic in passing lanes and with help. Never mind loose handles and high dribbles. Even those with enviable ball control aren’t safe from turnovers with him around.”

Melton struggled with injury last season. However, if he can remain healthy and eat significant minutes within the rotation, he could become a core part of the Warriors’ defensive system moving forward. 

The Warriors finished as the 15th-ranked defense last season. Melton’s presence within the rotation should help them climb toward (or into) the top 10, which would be a welcomed improvement for a roster that lost multiple games from winning positions during the 2023-24 campaign.

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Tyrese Maxey reacts to De’Anthony Melton leaving Sixers for Warriors

Tyrese Maxey reacts to De’Anthony Melton leaving the Philadelphia 76ers to join the Golden State Warriors.

The Philadelphia 76ers lost a piece in free agency with De’Anthony Melton heading to The Bay to join the Golden State Warriors. When healthy, Melton provided some elite 3-and-D play for Philadelphia as he was somebody reliable on both ends of the floor.

However, Melton was rarely healthy in the 2023-24 season. He was limited to 38 games and one playoff game as he was hampered all season by a nagging back injury. The Sixers looked elsewhere for depth as they brought in Eric Gordon in free agency.

Tyrese Maxey, who was close with Melton, took to Twitter to give his reaction to losing one of his best friends on the team.

Melton and Maxey had their lockers together and would often talk about video games such as Call of Duty for example. The two were close during their time together in Philadelphia and that friendship will continue despite Melton joining the Warriors.

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De’Anthony Melton to leave Sixers, sign 1-year deal with Warriors

De’Anthony Melton will leave the Philadelphia 76ers to join the Golden State Warriors in free agency.

The Philadelphia 76ers are in the process of still trying to fill the roster around their new trio of stars in Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey. The Sixers brought in Eric Gordon and Andre Drummond in free agency, but they have lost some pieces from the past.

Tobias Harris rejoined the Detroit Pistons while Nic Batum rejoined the Los Angeles Clippers. The Sixers have now lost another 3-and-D piece from their previous seasons.

De’Anthony Melton, who was limited to 38 games in the 2023-24 season due to a nagging back injury, plans to sign a 1-year $12.8 million deal with the Golden State Warriors. He averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 36% from deep.

Melton proved himself as a starter in Philadelphia and will look to carry that over to the Warriors. He is a strong perimeter defender and is somebody who can knock down an open triple. He will be a nice fit for that group in The Bay.

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How much could Sixers guard De’Anthony Melton make in free agency?

How much money could Philadelphia 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton earn in the upcoming free agency market?

Philadelphia 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton will enter free agency after a tough season on the floor. He was limited to 38 games in the 2023-24 season due to a lingering back issue, but he averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3 assists.

When he’s healthy, Melton is one of the more versatile players in the league. He has the length and IQ to be an elite perimeter defender, and he can knock down open looks from deep. That makes him a top 3-and-D player and his free agency should be interesting.

Bleacher Report predicts Melton will get somewhere around $60 million in the upcoming free agency:

A double-digit scorer in each of the least three seasons, the 25-year-old Melton brings a lot of the same plug-and-play qualities as Caldwell-Pope but won’t cost nearly as much. Considering he’s five years younger than KCP, you could make a case that a mere $60 million would be a bargain to lock down what should be Melton’s prime seasons.

It’s also convenient that a projected four-year deal at the mid-level exception, which starts at $12.4 million with annual raises, should come in right around the $54 million mark. Melton only needs to beat that by a few million bucks, which shouldn’t be hard to do.

The Sixers could bring him back on a smaller deal due to the lack of games he played and the back concerns. On the flip side, when Melton is healthy, he is one of the top players in the league. His free agency should be something to watch heading into the summer.

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De’Anthony Melton frustrated by being sidelined, talks free agency

Philadelphia 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton was frustrated he couldn’t help against the New York Knicks and he talks free agency.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers came up just short to the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs after a tough six games. The entire series was decided, cumulatively, by one point in favor of New York. The Sixers repeatedly were unable to come up with that one clutch play.

It would have helped if De’Anthony Melton had been able to play in this series. He was cleared medically to return, but coach Nick Nurse was understandably hesitant to play him given how much time he had missed with the back issue. He only played 7:12 in Game 4, and he was ineffective due to rust and other issues.

It was tough to sit by and watch the series knowing he could have made a difference.

“It hurt,” Melton said on Friday. “It hurt just to watch my guys going out there. It hurt to watch us losing games that I felt like would be easy dubs. I felt like we were losing games that I could help that we might’ve clawed through. With the team that we have, I still feel like we was one of the best teams in the league fully healthy and fully engaged. All that type stuff, it’s sad that we had an abrupt end, but I think I gained a lot from this.”

Melton will enter free agency in the offseason. It is a tough situation considering how much time he missed and whether the back issue will scare teams away.

However, he is confident his back injury will be fine and he will not need surgery. After two years in Philadelphia, he believes there’s still work to be done.

“For sure,” he stated. “I think the two years I’ve established myself here. I love the city. I love the team. The guys are hilarious. I love the ambition that everybody brings coming to the games. I love the fans. I love that they screaming, cheering. I love how hard they are on us at the same time, but I do feel like it’s unfinished business and I feel like with the core that we do have, it’s one of the better ones. Everything that it brings to the table.”

When healthy, Melton established himself as a starter with the Sixers. He shot the ball well from deep, and he brought the proper energy level to the defensive end of the floor. He was well-rounded, and Philadelphia offered him a starting opportunity.

“Establishing myself as a starter was real important to me coming into this year and I felt like I was doing that and just — I was just getting rolling and understanding what I have to do to win games for this team,” he finished. “For this caliber of a city, winning games is the most important thing. It was fun and I understand what needs to be done and I think that’s the most important thing.”

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Nick Nurse gives update on De’Anthony Melton as Sixers move forward

Nick Nurse gives an update on De’Anthony Melton as the Philadelphia 76ers look to move forward.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers had De’Anthony Melton active in Game 3 against the New York Knicks on Thursday for the first time in this series, but he did not play. Coach Nick Nurse was unable to find a spot to throw him out there.

Nurse is in a tough position with Melton. Obviously, Melton can help and the Sixers will need him as they move forward, but it’s tough to throw him out there in the middle of a physical playoff series. Especially, when considering his bad back.

“Pretty good,” Nurse said of Melton’s back. “I really think it’s a day-by-day thing and the schedule, his schedule, is kinda-they kinda got him paired up with kind of our schedule. Even though he’s not playing and stuff so they kinda get him on the court when we play and get him and then they rest him the next day and then they work him again the days were working like today.”

He has played only seven games since the calendar turned to 2024 and Nurse has already set up a rotation for this series. It’s unfortunate for Melton, but at this point, Nurse has to do what’s best for the Sixers.

“So he’s OK,” Nurse added. “I mean, he’s been cleared to play, right? I would say it still has to be I mean—I love him, but it’s just—it seems like such a difficult circumstance. It’s been so long and it’s so intense and it’s whatever, but we’re around there on making a decision on that. Thinking about it, I guess.”

It will be interesting to see if Melton gets a turn in Game 4 on Sunday against the Knicks.

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De’Anthony Melton explains why he’s fighting to return to help Sixers

De’Anthony Melton explains why he’s continuing to fight for a return to the floor to help the Philadelphia 76ers despite his back issue.

CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers are returning home for games 3 and 4 in their first-round series with the New York Knicks down 2-0 in the series, but help could be on the way.

De’Anthony Melton, who hasn’t played since April 12 due to a bothersome back issue, returned to practice on Wednesday afternoon. He has played only seven games in the 2024 calendar year and is continuing to fight to get back on the court to help his team.

“The last couple days — yesterday, I was able to get up and down and get some live action in,” said Melton on Wednesday. “That was really good for me and my body. Today, I went through practice. So I’m feeling good. I’m feeling good for the game tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes.”

One has to wonder why Melton continues fighting back and returning to the floor. He will be a free agent in the offseason and one figures that he would sit back and prepare for free agency to prevent further injury.

Not in this case. Melton wants to dig deep and continue to be there for the Sixers in the playoffs.

“I feel like when this team is fully healthy and we’ve got everybody going, I feel like we’re the best team in the league,” he explained. “We’ve all felt like that. Even at the beginning of the year, understand we have had a lot of trades, but honestly, we’ve gotten better after the trade deadline so just being able to attach myself to that, we can be an elite team.”

In terms of what is slowing him down in his return to the floor, Melton revealed it’s been the day after stuff. A day after he puts in a tough workout and things of that nature, the Sixers are wary of that.

“It’s more so the next day stuff,” he added. “The soreness in my back and stuff like that. … With the playoffs here pretty much, that’s when we’ll figure it out so I can be out there and help my team.”

Game 3 against the Knicks is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday.

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Nick Nurse enjoying having De’Anthony Melton as an option for Sixers

Coach Nick Nurse is enjoying De’Anthony Melton return as an option for the Philadelphia 76ers.

CAMDEN, N.J. — De’Anthony Melton returned from a 21-game absence in Tuesday’s win over the Detroit Pistons and his presence on the floor is a big boost for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Melton is a long and athletic defender who can give the Sixers a spark on the perimeter defensively. His return will help Philadelphia in the playoffs when it inevitably has to face the likes of Jalen Brunson, Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and others in the playoffs.

On top of his defensive acumen, Melton helps Tyrese Maxey and Kyle Lowry when it comes to ball-handling duties and being an offensive option out on the floor.

“Listen, options are always good, depth is always good, versatility is always good,” coach Nick Nurse said at practice on Thursday. “He gives us some of that. He’s a little different than Tyrese and Kyle, and he’s a little different than Kelly (Oubre Jr.), and he’s a little different than Nico (Batum) — all these guys that we throw at all these guards, and he’s certainly got some experience. That’s the main thing. So I’m trying to remain optimistic that he’s going to keep progressing forward.”

Nurse likes the options he has at the moment for the Sixers, but it doesn’t hurt to have other options. That’s where Melton comes in as he looks to make an impact for Philadelphia down the line in the playoffs. There may be a series where Nurse uses Melton more than another.

“I feel pretty good about the guys we’ve got in there right now and the depth we’ve got in there,” Nurse added. “So I’m probably more casting an eye down the line. If we make any kind of run, he can continue to get healthier and build, and a lot of that stuff, as you guys know, sometimes goes series by series. Maybe there’s a series where we need a little more perimeter defending, and maybe there’s a series we don’t.”

In his return against the Pistons on Tuesday, Melton only shot 2-for-9 overall and 1-for-5 from deep, but he looked like he was in shape and could be a big help for the Sixers right now.

“I thought he looked not as far out of shape or out of rhythm,” Nurse explained. “He maybe didn’t make as many shots, but it wasn’t like he was air-balling them. The release was good, the bounce was good, the setup was good. I think that’s just a matter of (getting) a little bit more time out there. So it’s always nice to have an extra guy.”

As far as Melton’s health is concerned, Nurse said the veteran guard felt OK. It’s just all about managing it at this point.

“I just talked to him,” Nurse finished. “He said he feels ‘fine.’ He’s not doing cartwheels up and down the court today or anything, but he’s fine. I think it’s a bit of a process yet. We’ll throw him out there tomorrow for longer, if we can. We certainly want to get him some extended minutes to see how far we can go with it, and to see what point he’s at when it gets to time to use him for real.”

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Sixers’ De’Anthony Melton reacts to making return in win over Pistons

Philadelphia 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton reacted to his return after a win over the Detroit Pistons at home.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers handled the Detroit Pistons rather easily on Tuesday night at home, 120-102. Philadelphia received a big performance from Joel Embiid, but the Sixers grew a bit healthier as well.

De’Anthony Melton, who hadn’t played since Feb. 27 due to a back issue, returned and had five points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals in 16 minutes off the bench.

“Honestly, it felt great,” Melton said of being back. “It felt great to just be out there with my teammates. Being in coverages, moving around. I feel like that’s the stuff I needed just to see where I’m at.”

Melton shot 2-for-9 overall and 1-for-5 from deep on Tuesday, but the fact he was able to be out there is a big help.

“He was great,” Embiid said. “He sucked today (he was joking), but it was great to have him, but he’s gonna be a big piece. As we’re getting healthy. Just what he adds. Shot-making ability, defense, a little bit of playmaking, too. Another guard. I think he’s gonna help us a lot.”

The veteran out of USC has been dealing with a back issue since New Year’s. He missed time with the lumbar spine issue and returned, only to have the issue worsen until it sidelined him starting Feb. 27.

Now, he’s looking to return and help the Sixers down the stretch and in the playoffs.

“Just taking it a little slower,” Melton said of his recent treatment. “Changing up my treatment and what I had to do and when I had to do it. All that type stuff just played a factor into it. Taking some medication that definitely helped my back. All that stuff just accumulated for me to play today.”

For coach Nick Nurse and the Sixers, the key is to continue to get Melton these minutes and build him up for the playoffs. With two games left, that is the focus for the 3-and-D guard.

“I think the main thing I thought he looked very good movement-wise,” said Nurse. “I think he was springy and quick and stuff like that. Obviously, he didn’t shoot the ball well, but he took all really good shots. You would expect- he hasn’t played in a long time. He came back for a couple of games and if you take those two out it’s been a really long time. So, I think just movement-wise. he looked good and that’s a main thing.”

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