Melton, who signed a one-year deal for the mid-level exception with the Warriors this summer, had missed Golden State’s last two games with a sprained left ACL. After further evaluation, the team and Melton determined the injury would require season-ending surgery.
The 26-year-old guard seemed to have found a home with the Warriors, providing three-point shooting and strong defense alongside Steph Curry in the backcourt. He was averaging 10.3 points and shooting 37.1 percent from three-point range while delivering 1.2 steals and 2.3 deflections per game, a key part of Golden State’s disruptive defense.
It’s a tough blow for Melton, who was hoping to follow in the footsteps of players like Otto Porter, Jr. and Donte DiVincenzo by signing a one-year deal with the Warriors, showcasing his skills and getting a multiyear contract afterward. Now Melton, who was a valuable supporting player for the Memphis Grizzlies and Philadelphia 76ers, will go into free agency an unknown commodity.
It’s also a blow for the Warriors, who had an ideal blend of shooting and defense with Melton. His most likely replacement in the starting lineup down the road is 22-year-old Moses Moody, who is averaging 9.2 points and shooting 45.1 percent on threes. Other possibilities are sharpshooters Lindy Waters III and Buddy Hield and forward Jonathan Kuminga.
They’ll miss Melton’s skills and also his heart. Last Tuesday, Melton made a huge play to force a steal, collect a loose ball and nail a three-pointer to spark the Warriors’ comeback in a 120-117 win.
Wednesday, Waters will be replacing Melton in the starting lineup against the Atlanta Hawks. But the Warriors know that there’s no way to replace Melton’s combination of skills long-term. Their chances to compete for a title just got a whole lot slimmer.