Warriors’ De’Anthony Melton to Miss Remainder of Season Due to ACL Surgery

Golden State Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton will undergo surgery on his left ACL and miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season, the team announced on Wednesday. The decision follows further testing after an initial ACL sprain, which had already sidelined Melton for a period of time.

The Warriors had expressed enthusiasm about acquiring Melton in free agency, signing him to a one-year deal worth $12.8 million. Known for his two-way play, Melton was expected to be a crucial part of head coach Steve Kerr‘s rotation. However, the player was only able to participate in six games before the injury put an indefinite pause on his season.

Kerr commented on the unfortunate development, «It’s terrible news. I feel so bad for De’Anthony. He was such a perfect fit for us, and we were excited to have him. He was clearly going to be our starter next to Steph [Curry].» Despite the setback, Melton was averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in his short stint.

With Melton sidelined, Lindy Waters III, who previously played with the Oklahoma City Thunder, will fill the starting lineup alongside Stephen Curry for the near future. Kerr remarked, «I liked Lindy in the starting lineup the other night… Lindy’s a very good player, a really good two-way player.» Waters brings a different profile, being a taller and natural three-point shooter, though less defensively inclined compared to Melton.

The Warriors are allowed to apply for a disabled player exception due to Melton’s season-ending injury, potentially worth $6.4 million. However, due to salary cap constraints, the franchise’s maneuverability remains limited.

Going forward, the Warriors will need to explore other roster configurations to maintain their competitiveness. Options include Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, both of whom are seen as fitting alternatives in the lineup. Kerr noted, «You want to stack up as many two-way guys as you can in this league, and they’re not easy to find… Guys will be ready to step up.»

The injury not only impacts the Warriors’ current campaign but also raises questions about Melton’s future. Discussions have reportedly been conducted with Melton’s agent regarding his potential free agency next summer, with hopes for his eventual return to the team.