Golden State Warriors’ Decision to Prioritize De’Anthony Melton Over Anfernee Simons Backfires Early
The Golden State Warriors’ decision to prioritize a reunion with veteran guard De’Anthony Melton over pursuing Anfernee Simons in free agency is already drawing scrutiny following a difficult start to the regular season. No one epitomized the team’s offensive limitations in Wednesday’s season opener more than Melton, who went scoreless and recorded just two rebounds and two assists against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Golden State desperately needs an offensive spark while Jimmy Butler remains sidelined recovering from a torn ACL, but Melton has struggled to fill that void. His offensive efficiency tailed off late last season after stepping into a larger role, and his slump has carried over into the current campaign. Dating back to the start of the preseason, Melton has managed a total of just 26 points across six games spanning 112 minutes on the court.
During five preseason contests, Melton shot 26.9 percent from the floor and 25 percent from 3-point range. Those shooting struggles persisted in the regular-season opener against the Lakers, where he attempted only two field goals in 21 minutes of action. Beyond his offensive output, Melton has also found it difficult to make the sort of defensive impact that once defined his reputation in the league.
His night against Los Angeles was notable more for a costly turnover than productive play. In the second quarter, Melton attempted to push the ball coast-to-coast in transition, only to run into multiple Lakers defenders in the paint where the ball was stripped away. The sequence forced a quick timeout and visibly frustrated head coach Steve Kerr, who has repeatedly warned his roster about turnovers.
The timing of Melton’s slump is particularly challenging given the immediate opportunity he had to secure a prominent role. With Brandin Podziemski sidelined, Melton was ushered back into the starting lineup for the opener. However, with Podziemski expected to return later in the week, Melton’s playing time could face significant reductions if his current form persists.
Meanwhile, the player Golden State passed on is already making an immediate impact elsewhere. Anfernee Simons put aside an injury-interrupted preseason to demonstrate the elite shooting and shot-making capability that the Warriors currently lack. Making his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, Simons contributed 13 points and two rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting in 25 minutes off the bench. His performance helped the 76ers secure an upset victory over the reigning champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
As the Warriors search for ways to generate offense without Butler, the front office’s choice to bypass a pursuit of Simons in favor of Melton will likely remain a focal point of discussion. While Melton was brought in to provide stability and perimeter defense, the offensive differential between the two guards highlights a missing element in Golden State’s current rotation.
