Image Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Golden State Warriors Bolster Backcourt By Signing Gary Payton II, De’Anthony Melton And Will Richard

Golden State secures two familiar veterans

Image Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors appear set to reunite with two familiar faces for the 2025-26 NBA season. Both Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton have committed to sign contracts with Golden State, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Sunday, citing sources.

Alongside the veteran guards, the Warriors also signed rookie Will Richard to a four-year deal, with two years fully guaranteed, Charania reported.

Free agents Gary Payton II and De'Anthony Melton have committed to signing deals to return to the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN. Payton, Melton and Al Horford are now locked in for the Warriors' 2025-26 roster. pic.twitter.com/h0xtsmstGe
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 29, 2025

Gary Payton II has already played five seasons with the Golden State Warriors across two separate stints. He first joined the Warriors in the 2020-21 season and played through the 2021-22 campaign. After a brief move to the Portland Trail Blazers, he was traded back at the following season’s deadline and has remained with the team.

In 194 career games for the Golden State Warriors, Payton has averaged 6.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He has shot 59.2 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from beyond the arc. Payton once again strengthens the Warriors’ guard depth behind Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield.

Melton’s Comeback to Warriors After Injury

De’Anthony Melton, long linked with a possible reunion, will return after missing most of last season with a torn ACL. He signed with Golden State last year but managed just six games before the injury and was later traded to the Brooklyn Nets.

In those six appearances, including two starts, he averaged 10.3 points on 40.7-percent shooting with 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.2 minutes. When starting, his numbers jumped to 16.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals. The Warriors went 4-2 with him in the lineup.

While Golden State’s roster activity focuses on Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton, one more name still draws speculation. Analyst Matt Levine previously suggested the Warriors could pursue Ben Simmons, citing his size, defense and playmaking ability as ways to ease Steph Curry’s load.