Credit: Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

LA Lakers favorites to sign player Golden State Warriors gave up on in backfiring trade

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aaditya Krishnamurthy | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 10:10 AM ET

The LA Lakers could turn the Golden State Warriors’ mistake into their genius strategy.

The LA Lakers have not really made the most of this offseason when it comes to bolstering their roster. Rob Pelinka has been very selective in the moves he makes.

The Lakers’ negotiations with Dorian Finney-Smith did not go well at all, as Pelinka’s unwillingness to offer him what he wanted cost him.

Finney-Smith opted to sign with the Rockets, thus forcing the Lakers to look elsewhere. They responded by signing Jake LaRavia, a player with a similar profile to Finney-Smith.

But the Lakers’ biggest signing has been Deandre Ayton, who plugs the gap at the center position for them.

However, it appears the Lakers have their eye on another player, one who was playing for one of their rivals last season, before they gave up on him and traded him away.

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

LA Lakers in pole position to sign De’Anthony Melton

According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the LA Lakers are set to add some more depth at the guard position.

They are currently the favorites to land De’Anthony Melton in free agency. Melton is seen as a scoring guard who can provide backup for Luka Doncic.

“Outside of pursuing extra frontcourt depth behind Ayton, the Lakers are also pursuing guard help to complement Luka’s play in the backcourt.

“De’Anthony Melton has been a key name linked to Los Angeles throughout the offseason, and there is a growing expectation that the Lakers will land him in free agency, sources said.”

Outside of Kuminga, we have notes on the Kings, Lakers, Cavs, Bucks, Clippers, and more in tonight's intel story before the 4th of July:

Quick piece of intel on the Lakers — there is a growing expectation around the NBA that De'Anthony Melton will end up with LA.

More below: https://t.co/bpzFJsB4Tj
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) July 4, 2025

De’Anthony Melton didn’t get a fair chance on the Golden State Warriors

Last season, De’Anthony Melton signed with the Golden State Warriors in free agency. Things started out strong, as he got to feature regularly for the team.

During his first six games of the NBA season, Melton averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He even sank a crucial shot in the Warriors’ NBA cup win over the Mavericks.

However, he would then tear his ACL, an injury that kept him out for the rest of the season. Feeling that they were losing important backcourt depth, the Warriors traded Melton for Dennis Schroder.

Schroder’s stint with the Warriors did not go well. And after just months on the team, Schroder was traded again to the Utah Jazz.

While the Warriors giving up on Melton makes sense, him signing with the Lakers could give him a chance to get some revenge on the Warriors and show them why they should have kept him long-term.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: