Golden State Warriors Face Uncertainty After De’Anthony Melton’s Season-Ending Injury

The Golden State Warriors are dealing with a significant setback after guard De'Anthony Melton suffered a season-ending injury. Melton, who was acquired in the offseason and had recently secured a spot in Coach Steve Kerr‘s starting rotation, sustained a sprained left ACL on November 12 against the Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors announced on Wednesday that Melton will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the 2024-25 NBA season.

Despite this loss, Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy remains optimistic about the team’s prospects. Dunleavy highlighted the team’s depth and the contributions of other offseason additions, such as Buddy Hield, Kyle Anderson, and Lindy Waters. “I think our thing with Steph [Curry] and Draymond [Green] is you’re always looking to surround them with the right players, and you want to get the best, most talented players to do that with,” Dunleavy said. He also indicated that the team will explore all options, including potential trades, as the February 5 NBA trade deadline approaches.

Coach Steve Kerr has already begun adjusting the lineup in Melton’s absence. Lindy Waters III, who was acquired in a June trade with Oklahoma City, will move into the starting lineup alongside Stephen Curry. Kerr praised Waters for his two-way skills and shooting ability, which aligns well with the team’s current strategy of playing two bigs, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson.

The Warriors, who are currently 10-3 and leading the Western Conference, will need to find new combinations to maintain their defensive strength, which had been significantly bolstered by Melton’s presence. Kerr emphasized the importance of stacking up two-way players and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt and find the best lineups moving forward.

Despite the setback, the Warriors are hopeful about Melton’s future with the team. There has been contact with Melton’s agent regarding his free agency next summer, and Kerr is hopeful for the guard’s return to the Warriors.