David Gonzales-Imagn Images

Warriors Free Agents Commit To Team Following Al Horford Signing

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Quenton S Albertie | Last updated Sep 28, 2025 9:39 PM ET

‘Slow and steady wins the race.’ ‘It’s not how you start it’s how you finish.’ These are the two familiar adages that come to mind when considering the Golden State Warriors offseason, which hadn’t amounted to anything substantial until the 12th hour.

While most of the Warriors focus this offseason has been on their terse contract negotiations with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, they came to an agreement with five-time All-Star and 2024 NBA champion Al Horford early on Sunday afternoon. Later that day, free agents Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton committed to the team as well, according to ESPN senior insider Shams Charania. Now, the only other orders of business appear to be resolving their situation with Kuminga and adding Seth Curry, the younger brother of face of the franchise Stephen Curry.

Warriors Free Agents Commit To Team After Al Horford Signing

Payton and Melton deciding to return to the Warriors was widely expected.

Gary Payton II

Payton has spent the better part of the last five seasons in Golden State, where he’s become a known commodity and a champion.

8. Love Gary Payton II defense! Defends Tatum 1v1 and of course the stunt from Curry, all leading to a bad pass turnover. pic.twitter.com/i9tZYlPDis

— Mike Jagacki (@Mike_Jagacki) November 8, 2024

Like his father, he’s an exceptional defensive player. He doesn’t have The Glove’s sticky fingers, but his physicality and agility at the point of attack are accentuated by instinct and technique. If he wasn’t a more effective offensive player, he’d be on the court much more. However, he still leaves his mark while playing 15.5 minutes per game for the Warriors. Furthermore, he seems to possess a killer instinct in the playoffs, shooting 39.6% from 3.

De’Anthony Melton

Melton has played for fewer teams than Payton; five to his four. Nevertheless, it’s fair to say that he’s more well-traveled. Where Payton has had some modicum of consistency this decade, Melton’s been bouncing around.

Nov 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Golden State Warriors guard De’Anthony Melton (8) shoots a three point basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

In 2020-21 and 2021-22, the combo guard was playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. He then spent the next two seasons in the Eastern Conference, with the Philadelphia 76ers. Last season was the first that he played in his home state, signing a contract with the Warriors in July. Then, Golden State ended up trading Melton to the Brooklyn Nets as part of their ill-fated deal for Dennis Schroder. However, Melton never suited up for the Nets as he was recovering from a partially torn ACL.

Like Payton, Melton is regarded as a plus-defender on the perimeter. Yet, he’s also a career 36.9% shooter from beyond the arc. If all goes well, he’ll play a significant though likely understated role in the Warriors rotation.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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