The Golden State Warriors have received commitments from guards De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II to sign with the team for the upcoming season. The two veteran guards will join Al Horford, who also committed to sign with the Warriors on Sunday.
Melton started last season with the Warriors after signing with the team on a one-year deal. However, Melton tore his ACL in mid-November. The combo guard was later traded to the Brooklyn Nets. In six games with Golden State before the injury, Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.2 minutes per game.
Payton will return to Golden State for a sixth consecutive season. The defensive-minded veteran averaged 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 15 minutes per game last season.
The signings of Melton, Payton and Horford will likely be delayed until the Warriors have a resolution with Jonathan Kuminga. The restricted free agent forward faces a Wednesday, October 1 deadline to sign his qualifying offer. Kuminga and Golden State could also work out a different contract, or work together to find a sign-and-trade opportunity.