The Golden State Warriors are still positioned to sign veteran free agents Al Horford and keep De’Anthony Melton despite delays in their offseason moves, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Speaking Tuesday on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard & Dibs,” Stein said he expects both Horford and Melton to end up in Golden State once the team resolves its current roster complications. “My expectation is that one way or another, the Warriors are going to end up with both Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton on their roster,” Stein explained, via NBC Sports Bay Area.
The Warriors have not added a player since free agency opened on June 30, largely due to contract negotiations with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. The standoff has slowed the team’s ability to finalize deals, but league sources anticipate that Golden State’s front office will act quickly once the situation is resolved.
Melton, 27, previously joined the Warriors on a one-year, $12.8 million deal last summer. His stint was cut short after just six games when he suffered a torn ACL, leading to a trade to the Brooklyn Nets. Despite his injury, Golden State remains interested in bringing him back, valuing his defensive prowess and perimeter shooting.
The Los Angeles Lakers are also pursuing Melton, but the Warriors are widely viewed as frontrunners given their established relationship with the guard and their need for backcourt depth. Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during his brief tenure with the team, shooting 37.1% from three-point range before his injury.
Horford, meanwhile, is still weighing his future as he considers whether to return for a 19th NBA season or retire. The 39-year-old center completed his 18th campaign with the Boston Celtics as a key contributor to their 2025 championship run.
According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, the Warriors have been among the most persistent suitors for Horford, who is also drawing interest from the Lakers, Bucks, and Hawks. Golden State reportedly expected him to sign last week, but Horford has taken additional time to evaluate his options while awaiting the birth of his sixth child.
With both Melton and Horford taking their time to finalize decisions, Golden State remains confident in its ability to secure agreements with the two veterans once its internal roster issues are addressed.
