As it turns out, the Philadelphia 76ers are not the only one having a difficult time finding peace with their moves this offseason. Thanks to some messy complications when it comes to restricted free agents, there are also other ball clubs who have yet to firmly put an end to their summer slate.
The Warriors, who are still as ambitious as ever about theri chances of contending next season, remain stuck at crossroads with Jonathan Kuminga. The young forward remains on the lookout for a lucrative payday or an eventual trade, but both him and Golden State seem to be running out of options to keep both parties happy.
The collateral effect of this standstill is that the Warriors are still far from set for the upcoming season. It has gotten to a point where franchise star Jimmy Butler had already questioned the front office’s tangible plans for next season, casting a huge cloud over their title prospects as a collective.
But aside from that, Golden State has also been kept in suspense with their rumored free agent targets. Al Horford is one name they still have not officially signed despite being believed to have already come to terms on a handshake deal with the Dubs. Another player who has been in limbo is also a former 76ers cog, De’Anthony Melton, who might be already seeing his NBA future dim.
Former 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton remains unsigned in free agency
Melton had a very brief stint in Golden State last season, even playing a major role for the team. Unfortunately, he partially tore his ACL after just six games, culminating in him getting shipped to Brooklyn midway through the campaign and never playing again since then.
The Warriors were strongly believed to be interested in signing him again, but the Kuminga situation had basically put everything on hold. Now, Melton is looking like he could ultimately end up not having a new contract before the season begins with training camp slated to begin in a couple of weeks.
If that ends up being the end result, that would be a huge miss for the rest of the league. Melton, when healthy, is a competent two-way guard who can stick his nose defensively and be a reliable threat from three-point range.
Melton would have also been a good low-risk addition to the 76ers, but as we all know, the front office opted to reward Kyle Lowry instead.
Hopefully, the Warriors situation finally gets cleared up — not as a way of rooting for them, but to the effect that De’Anthony Melton will have a place to call home next season.