The Warriors entered the 2026 NBA offseason with three key players who held player options. All three declined.Al Horford was the first to do so, turning down his $6 million player option. But Horford’s decision was so he could sign a two-year, $14 million contract to return to the Warriors. Draymond Green was next, turning down his $27.7 million player option. But Green’s decision came with the caveat of optionality, most notably to have the ability to possibly sign LeBron James, and the future Hall of Famer will eventually sign a new contract with the one team he has known in his 14-year career.
De’Anthony Melton was last to make his choice, and like Horford and Green, he turned down his $3.5 million player option on Monday’s deadline. The days of Melton in a Warriors jersey appeared likely to be done. Luckily for the Warriors, that isn’t the case.
Melton on Wednesday morning agreed to a new two-year, $11 million contract with the Warriors that has a player option for the second season, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported, citing sources.
This marks the third straight...