With the initial wave of free agency already over for quite some time now, teams now have a clear vision of what their respective rosters will look like as they approach the 2025-26 season. The same rings true for the Philadelphia 76ers, with the front office even being reported to have already settled with their expected 15-man roster.
The free agency market, however, still packs a slew of intriguing names that could fetch some suitors. There are those who tout robust pedigrees enough to warrant a second look, while there are also some journeymen still looking to find an opening across the league. Case in point? Look no further than former 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton, who remains unsigned at this juncture.
Melton, who has been one fo the better two-way role players in the league at the guard position in recent years, has been hampered by injuries in the last couple of seasons. Just last year, he tore his ACL while playing for the Warriors, resulting in him suiting up for just six games. That is perhaps the main reason why he still finds himself auditioning for other teams for an NBA roster spot.
That status quo, however, must change. Melton is too good to just be an afterthought in the league despite his injury concerns.
Former 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton should be picked up by an NBA team this offseason
Look, if someone like Ben Simmons can still command some interest despite his glaring red flags, then a more productive and reliable role players like Melton should similarly garner some bids along his way.
The former 76ers guard, when healthy, is a handy three-and-D backcourt piece who can function as a secondary playmaker, spot-up shooter, and most importantly, a thorn on the side of backcourt scorers with his tenacious one-on-one defense.
Heck, he was playing well in Golden State next to Stephen Curry before he went down with a season-ending injury. And there is little reason to believe that he cannot replicate that kind of production, especially under the context of a less major role.
Teams in need of more depth in the backcourt should undoubteedly take a hard look at signing Melton, who will definitely come much cheaper this time. Teams like the Warriors and the Lakers would be intriguing fits for him, and both of those ball clubs have already signified their interest.
De’Anthony Melton is one ex-player whom Philadelphia 76ers fans should be rooting for. He was a great piece for the team during his stint with the franchise, and he is too impactful of a role player to have his career cut short.