After playing just six games a season ago, De’Anthony Melton absolutely tore it up for the Golden State Warriors in 2025-26, racking up a career-high 12.3 points per game across 49 appearances. Talk about a comeback season for the guard!
Defensive Menace, Career-High Numbers
Melton wasn’t just healthy, he was producing all over the court. Beyond the career-best scoring, he added 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. But let’s be real, it’s his defense that truly makes him special. This guy is pure havoc on the perimeter, causing opposing teams fits with his relentless pressure. It’s no surprise that NBA 2K27 even recognized Melton as one of the league’s best pickpockets. That’s some serious street cred for his defensive impact!
The Shot That Needs to Come Back
Now, for the kicker. While his scoring jumped, Melton’s three-point stroke hit a major wall this past season. He converted on less than 30% of his attempts from beyond the arc. That’s a wild drop when you consider his career average sits at more than 35%. That’s a big deal, especially for Golden State. With Stephen Curry back fully healthy and leading the charge, the Warriors are counting on Melton off the bench for more than just defense. They need him to rediscover that perimeter shooting and deliver some secondary shot creation, too.
So, while the highlights show a player who found his scoring touch and remained a defensive monster, that three-point percentage is a real question mark. The Warriors will be relying on Melton to bring that shooting back into the fold if he’s going to fully own that crucial bench role.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply