Times are changing for the Golden State Warriors, the team that not long ago won four NBA championships in a span of just eight seasons.
They missed the playoffs this past season, making it the first time a healthy Warriors squad did so since 2012, and they also just lost Klay Thompson, who was a major pillar on those four title-winning teams, when he signed with the Dallas Mavericks.
As some sort of consolation prize, Golden State signed De’Anthony Melton to a one-year contract worth $12.8 million, per Shams Charania.
Free agent De'Anthony Melton plans to sign a one-year, $12.8 million deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/LfBenYVJ7T
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2024
Melton, 26, has averages of 9.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game in his six NBA seasons, and in the 2023-24 season, he put up 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists while shooting 38.6 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from 3-point range.
At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he will give Golden State an option off the bench, as one has to think Brandin Podziemski, who had a strong rookie season, will now start at the 2 for them.
Thompson will give the Mavericks, who are the defending Western Conference champs, some much-needed supplemental firepower alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as they attempt to get over the hump moving forward.
Now the question is what the Warriors can do to recapture at least some of their old glory.
They may have to depend on lots of internal improvement from youngsters such as Podziemski and Moses Moody, as their options are very limited, especially given their large payroll.
But one thing is just about sure: their dynasty is all but permanently over.
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