The Los Angeles Lakers have completed the signing of Deandre Ayton. It was the single most important move Los Angeles needed to make this summer, as they addressed the glaring void at center with a gamble on a prolific talent who battles inconsistency.
The Lakers still need to acquire an adequate backup center, but one of their top priorities in the meantime must be finalizing the rumored pursuit of De'Anthony Melton.
Melton, 27, is one of the top remaining free agents. He's a 3-and-D guard who offers compelling defensive versatility, but recent injury woes have caused the market to sour on him. The silver lining, however, is that it's opened the door to a potential homecoming for the North Hollywood native.
According to Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, the Lakers have been linked to Melton by multiple sources as a potential free agency destination.
Sources from three different rival teams have linked the Lakers to De'Anthony Melton here as we near the official start of free agency. Expectation is that there's strong mutual interest.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) June 30, 2025
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line have reported the same, thus implying that a deal could be struck sooner than later.
"If the Lakers lose Finney-Smith, they are expected to show interest in De'Anthony Melton, who was only able to play in six games last season with Golden State due to an ACL tear and was traded by the Warriors in December to Brooklyn for Dennis Schröder."
If the Lakers are going to put the finishing touches on a solid offseason, then signing Melton should be a top priority.
Lakers linked to 3-and-D specialist De'Anthony Melton
If health weren't a factor, Melton would be in line for a multi-year deal with any number of teams. Unfortunately, he played just 38 games in 2023-24 due to a back injury and suffered a partially-torn ACL in 2024-25 that limited him to a mere six appearances.
That admittedly creates risk for the Lakers, but it also suggests they could potentially bring him in on a one-year prove-it deal at the veteran minimum.
For that low, and virtually no-cost price, the Lakers can add a player with the tools to transform their defense—and, for that matter, their offense. Melton is a proven commodity as a defender, possessing the ability to play the passing lanes and match up against players at every perimeter position.
In addition to being able to defend at a high level, there's a certain willingness to take on difficult matchups that should appeal to JJ Redick and the Lakers.
Furthermore, Melton boasts a remarkably well-rounded skill set. He's put that to use to the effect of career averages of 14.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 2.4 three-point field goals per 36 minutes on .410/.369/.779 shooting.
After struggling as a shooter during his first two years in the NBA, Melton has improved his efficiency over the past five seasons, burying 2.8 three-point field goals at a clip of 38.3 percent.
Injuries are an unavoidable factor that could offset the value that Melton would otherwise provide. For the veteran minimum, however, the Lakers would be hard-pressed to find a player as talented as he is, let alone as well-rounded.
That makes it well worth the risk to follow through on the persistent rumors and bring Melton to Los Angeles on the ultimate team-friendly deal.