The Los Angeles Lakers could steal De’Anthony Melton from the Golden State Warriors in free agency to add more shooting and defense around Luka Doncic. Fans know the purple and gold prioritized offseason cap space to build around number 77.  The Lakers need a perimeter stopper capable of making shots. Melton’s struggles this season could open the door for LA to land a low-cost add that stings the rival Warriors.
Melton has a $3.4 million player option for next season, and the 6’2 guard doesn’t know what is next. He has signed with the Warriors in back-to-back years, but Golden State’s cap crunch could have him looking elsewhere. Melton likely wants to play for a title contender and stay home in California, which makes the Lakers a juicy option.
Melton is an outstanding role player, and his numbers may not do his production justice. The 27-year-old missed all but six games last season recovering from ACL surgery. He is still finding his jumper and already helping the Dubs win. Melton would be the perfect fit around Luka, and stealing him from the Warriors is an added benefit for the Lakers.
Lakers could swipe De’Anthony Melton from the Warriors this summer
Luka makes the Lakers title contenders. He is going to dominate the lesser teams and give his squad a puncher’s chance against the elite ones. LA has won 14 of their last 16 to climb to third in the Western Conference. They will be a difficult matchup for anyone in the playoffs, and the Lakers haven’t even put the proper pieces around Doncic yet.
The Mavericks outlined the ideal blueprint in 2024. Dallas made the NBA Finals with shooting and defense flanking Luka. The Lakers need a rim-protecting big man capable of being Doncic’s pick-and-roll partner. They are also lacking perimeter defense and shooting. Expect Rob Pelinka and the front office to address these problems in the offseason.
Luka is playing like the MVP right now. Now imagine what he can do with the perfect pieces around him. The Lakers should be title contenders for years to come. The difference between being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs and winning the title is finding the right players once you already have your superstar.
Melton is averaging 13.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 steals in 22.9 minutes per game so far this season. He has made just 28.8 percent of his 3-point attempts, but is a career 35.8 percent marksman from long range. NBA players usually struggle to find their jumpers in year one back from an ACL injury. Expect his shooting to improve significantly next season, and it could be even better if he is taking wide open looks created by Luka.
No team will have more cap space than the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. They should go hunting for a marquee player. If Luka can lead this current group on a deep playoff run, the sky is the limit with an improved roster.
Rob Pelinka doesn’t just need a top-end talent. It is about fit and role players improving the team’s title odds. The Warriors are 9.6 points per 100 possessions better this season with Melton in the game.
The Los Angeles Lakers would love to have De'Anthony Melton playing stout defense and hitting shots next to Luka Doncic. He is the perfect fit, and things are even sweeter if the Lakers can get one up on the rival Warriors. Los Angeles will have the room, so it is all about landing the right fits. All fans can do is stay tuned to see how it all plays out.