Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Getty
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have nine games left in the regular season and a play-in spot locked in. The roster has been battered all year. Jimmy Butler is done. Moses Moody is done. Stephen Curry has not played since January 30.
Yet De’Anthony Melton is not ready to write this team off.
Speaking on 95.7’s Steiny and Guru on Thursday, Melton made his feelings clear about what the Warriors are capable of if their key pieces return.
What Melton Said About the Warriors’ Chances
Melton did not hedge when asked about Golden State’s ceiling heading into the play-in.
“We can compete with any team,” Melton said. “We just beat Houston, had good battles with San Antonio earlier this year. Lost a lot of our guys and took OKC to the wire.”
It is a confident take, and not an empty one. The Warriors pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to the wire earlier this season despite the injuries piling up. They beat the Houston Rockets. They went toe to toe with the San Antonio Spurs. The results suggest a team that, when healthy, is capable of competing with anyone in the West.
The key phrase is when healthy. Curry’s return from a knee issue and Al Horford‘s recovery from a calf strain would change the Warriors’ ceiling considerably heading into the play-in. Melton knows it.
95.7 The Game
“We can compete with any team… We just beat Houston, had good battles with San Antonio (earlier this year). We lost a lot of our guys and took OKC to the wire.”
– De’Anthony Melton on the Warriors making noise if Curry, Horford return (via @SteinyGuru957).
Melton’s Season and What It Means for His Future
De'Anthony Melton
GettyDe’Anthony Melton of the Golden State Warriors.
The other thread running through Thursday’s conversation was Melton’s own future. He has a player option on his contract and, after the season he has put together, the decision is unlikely to be a difficult one.
Melton is averaging a career-high 13.0 points in just under 23 minutes per game. Over his last 13 games, he has scored 20 or more points on six occasions. He leads the team in steals at 1.6 per game. The 3-point shooting has been a weak spot at 28.8 percent, but the overall impact has been undeniable.
He was direct about what he feels he deserves heading into the offseason.
“I’ve been in this league a decent amount of time,” Melton said. “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. You put in that much time, effort, work and you’ve seen the results and you’ve seen how impactful you are, 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.”
It is a measured statement from someone who has earned the right to make it. Melton was traded to the Brooklyn Nets from Golden State last season while injured, only to find his way back on a two-year deal that included his player option. He has made the most of the second chance.
What It Means for the Warriors
Melton is not the only free agent decision Golden State faces this offseason. Kristaps Porzingis will be a free agent. Horford has a player option. Keeping as much of the core together as possible while Butler and Moody work through lengthy rehabs will be the front office’s primary challenge.
Melton’s value to this team goes beyond the scoring numbers. He is one of their most dependable defenders and has been one of the few consistent performers through a season defined by adversity. Losing him in free agency would be a significant blow.
Nine games remain. The play-in is coming. Melton’s belief in this group has not wavered.
Final Word for the Warriors
Melton said they can compete with any team. The results this season, even with everything that has gone wrong, back that up.
Get Curry back. Get Horford back. The Warriors believe the ceiling gets considerably higher from there. Melton made that clear on Thursday.
Whatever comes in the offseason will sort itself out. Right now, there is still basketball to play.