Three players to sign with Warriors

Free agent guards Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton have committed to deals with the Golden State Warriors, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (X link).

The terms of the deal were not included in the report. These signings have long been expected around the league, with the understanding being that the Warriors were waiting to complete them until after they finalized their restricted free agency standoff with Jonathan Kuminga.

Payton, a nine-year NBA veteran, has played a little over four seasons with the Warriors over the course of his career. While he has dealt with injuries in recent years, he played 62 games last season for Golden State, averaging 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 15 minutes per game while serving as a versatile, defensive-minded guard/forward who can attack in transition.

Melton is another defensive guard with some injury concerns that have popped up in recent years. He signed with the Warriors ahead of the 2024/25 season, but injuries limited him to just six games played before the Warriors included him in their trade with the Nets for Dennis Schroder.

During his time with the Warriors, he averaged 10.3 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 20.2 minutes. He has only played in 45 games over the last two seasons and will be hoping for a bounce-back year in terms of health.

Golden State Warriors make another signing

The Warriors also signed rookie Will Richard to a four-year contract, Charania reports (via X). The No. 56 pick in the 2025 draft will receive two fully guaranteed years in the deal.

Richard is a four-year college player who played his final three seasons for Florida. In his final season, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals and served as a key on the championship-winning team. In six Summer League games for the Warriors, Richard averaged 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.8 steals.

These deals follow the report earlier in the day that free agent big man Al Horford had agreed to a multiyear deal with the Warriors. Judging by the four signings, the Warriors appear to be targeting defense, especially along the perimeter, and some level of versatility as they look to round out their roster.

Anthony Slater of ESPN notes (via X) that these deals will occupy roster spots nine through 13 for the Warriors, and that the 14th spot is currently left for the resolution of the Kuminga standoff.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks adds (via X) that the Warriors can still sign Kuminga to a deal starting at around $22M and be able to afford a 15th player.