Analyst dubs De’Anthony Melton as a better fit than Klay Thompson

De’Anthony Melton is one of the Golden State Warriors summer additions. The versatile guard spent last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, although he missed significant playing time due to a persistent back issue. However, if Melton can remain healthy in the upcoming season, he will have a significant impact on the Warriors point of attack and perimeter defense.

During a recent episode of ESPN’s “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast, Tim Bontemps noted that Melton could emerge as a better fit for the Warriors than the current version of Klay Thompson, who left the franchise to join the Dallas Mavericks as part of a six-team sign-and-trade deal.

“If De’Anthony Melton’s back is okay, which is a big if because he missed basically the entire 2024 calendar year because of ongoing back issues, he’s a better fit for the Warriors this year than Klay Thompson,” Bontemps said. I could see Melton starting at the shooting guard spot, because he is a dynamite defender and he is a borderline 40% 3-point shooter,” Bontemps said on July 2. “De’Anthony Melton is really good.”

Steve Kerr will have multiple new players to work with in the upcoming season. Golden State has been active in the free agent market since it opened on June 30. Buddy Hield will likely compete with Melton for playing time, while Brandin Podziemski could potentially secure a starting spot next to Steph Curry.

However, things shake out, and the Warriors must find a way to plug the gap left behind by Thompson. It doesn’t matter whether Hield or Melton help them achieve that goal as long as the franchise bounces back from a difficult season and makes it back to the postseason at the first time of trying.