When it comes to adding value players, the Philadelphia 76ers have become one of the better ball clubs in the league. Such is probably the way of life for a team that has often had one of the more expensive rosters in the NBA. Just not too long ago, they had one in De’Anthony Melton, who eventually ended up being a starter for them for almost two full seasons.
However, due to his struggles staying on the floor, the 76ers had to part ways with him in the summer of 2024. Since then, Melton has mightily struggled not only in staying healthy, but also in playing well enough to be a meaningful contributor. Suffice to say that Philly made the right decision in letting him walk in free agency.
Having just returned from an ACL injury that kept him out for more than a calendar year, Melton has seemingly forgotten how to shoot the basketball. In seven games so far, averaging nearly 18 minutes per outing, he has registered just 6.3 points and two assists a night on a measly 27.1 percent shooting from the field, which includes a ghastly 12.5 percent success rate from downtown.
The 76ers are definitely not missing that.
The 76ers made the correct decision to let De’Anthony Melton walk last year
Of course, it would be highly disingenuous to highlight Melton’s post-injury production as the sole measuring stick in this regard, but it is his injury-prone nature that warrants such an abrasive pondering.
Melton was productive as a Sixer, giving the team a significant lift on defense for the most part, but he just could not stay on the floor. After missing just four games in his first season in Philly, he went on to miss 44 in the following one. When he returned late during that year, he also seemed to forget what it was like to throw a rock in the ocean.
Now that he is with the Warriors, shooting will always be the biggest thing that will determine his value. So far, he is failing in the grandest sense on that end, although Steve Kerr appears to be exercising more patience with his comebacking guard.
But had he stayed in Philly, one can only imagine the outrage fans would have if his situation was the same. The 76ers no longer has the resources — both material and spiritual — to play house to yet another injury-prone player who cannot even shoot the basketball.