Desperate Warriors need these two players to debut soon

Even if he's playing limited minutes in his comeback, Melton should help provide defense for a Warriors team that's simply blowing assignments. Podziemski in particular has a tendency to over-help and end up guarding no one. Melton can also help provide three-point shooting for a team highly dependent on Steph Curry on the perimeter.

Seth Curry's return is a matter of money

While the health of Melton's knee will determine when he comes back, it's money and cap concerns that are holding out Curry's brother, Seth. The Warriors agreed with Seth before the season, then released him as planned before the season, because they couldn't afford his full minimum salary after being hard-capped at the first luxury-tax apron.

But they've been able to sign the younger Curry since mid-November. They're waiting in order to have more flexibility for later moves, like a trade involving the unhappy Kuminga, while Seth, a 43.3 percent career three-point shooter, cools his heels.

It has to be tempting to add Seth with Buddy Hield shooting 31 percent from deep this season while providing very little defense. And like Melton, it's tempting simply to have a veteran who knows where to be on the floor.

They'll likely wait, especially with Kuminga nearing his return and Melton possibly right behind. But sitting at 10-10, the Warriors don't have a lot of time to waste hoping their current roster turns things around.