REPORT: Following his brief tenure with the Golden State Warriors, an NBA insider suggests that De’Anthony Melton could be a target for the Los Angeles Lakers.

In what has already been a busy offseason full of speculation and roster maneuvering, the Los Angeles Lakers may have found themselves an intriguing potential target: De’Anthony Melton. According to an NBA insider, the combo guard—who recently completed a short stint with the Golden State Warriors—could emerge as a realistic addition for the Lakers as they look to reshape their backcourt and add defensive toughness.

Melton’s name has surfaced in trade rumors and free agency buzz before, but the current context is unique. After his time with the Warriors failed to fully materialize due to lingering injuries and limited opportunities, Melton is once again in a position where he can evaluate his next move—and the Lakers, always seeking undervalued two-way talent, are reportedly watching closely.

Here’s a deeper look into why Melton’s fit with the Lakers makes sense, what his brief Warriors tenure signaled, and what it could mean for Los Angeles’ offseason strategy.

De’Anthony Melton isn’t the flashiest name on the market, but those who follow the league closely understand his value. A 6-foot-2 guard with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Melton has built a reputation as one of the NBA’s most disruptive perimeter defenders. He’s not only able to defend both guard positions, but his instincts in passing lanes and ability to fight through screens make him an asset on any switch-heavy defensive scheme.

During his most productive years in Memphis and Philadelphia, Melton showed that he could be a key rotational player or even a starter in the right situation. He averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game over the past three seasons, while shooting around 37% from three. That combination of three-point shooting and strong perimeter defense is exactly what the Lakers have lacked in recent years.

With players like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves being asked to carry significant offensive loads while also handling defensive assignments they weren’t ideally suited for, adding a player like Melton could provide immediate relief and better lineup balance.

When Melton landed with the Warriors in a short-term stint following the 2023-24 season, the fit seemed promising. Golden State was struggling to find defensive stability in its second unit, and Melton’s tenacity and experience were seen as possible solutions. But injuries, particularly a nagging back issue, limited his availability. He played in only a handful of games, and his impact was minimal as Steve Kerr leaned heavily on his core veterans down the stretch.

That experience shouldn’t diminish Melton’s overall value, however. Teams know what he brings when healthy, and the Warriors’ fast-paced, high-IQ offense was never a perfect stylistic fit for a defense-first guard who thrives in chaos and transition. For a team like the Lakers—whose identity has become more grounded in physicality and defense under head coach Darvin Ham—Melton’s game is a much better match.

According to sources close to the situation, there’s mutual interest between Melton’s camp and the Lakers organization. One Western Conference scout noted that the Lakers have “liked Melton for years,” dating back to his time in college at USC. With the team facing an uncertain future regarding Russell’s player option and the possible need to upgrade defensively at the point of attack, Melton represents a cost-effective and versatile option.

Lakers GM Rob Pelinka has consistently targeted players who can defend and shoot. While Melton may not carry the star power that other rumored targets like Dejounte Murray or Fred VanVleet once did, he could represent a smarter, more sustainable move for a franchise that doesn’t have a surplus of cap space.

Melton would also bring a level of maturity and experience to the Lakers’ locker room. At just 26 years old, he already has playoff experience and has played in multiple systems under respected coaches like Taylor Jenkins, Doc Rivers, and Steve Kerr.If Melton were to land in Los Angeles, it could open up intriguing backcourt combinations with Austin Reaves. Reaves has blossomed into a reliable secondary playmaker and shot creator, but he struggles against quicker guards on defense. Melton, meanwhile, would take on the tougher assignments and allow Reaves to operate more freely on offense.

Such a pairing could also help the Lakers diversify their offense. Melton can spot up or attack closeouts, and while he isn’t a true point guard, his secondary ball-handling skills could alleviate some of the pressure on LeBron James or Reaves in the halfcourt.

It also helps that Melton is a low-maintenance player who doesn’t require a high usage rate to be effective. In the Lakers’ often LeBron- and AD-centric offense, role players who can impact the game without needing the ball are extremely valuable.

One of the most attractive aspects of De’Anthony Melton from the Lakers’ perspective is his potential price point. Following his underwhelming Warriors tenure and health questions, he likely won’t command the full mid-level exception in free agency. That means the Lakers could potentially bring him in on a team-friendly deal—perhaps something in the two-year, $12-16 million range, depending on market dynamics.

With Los Angeles potentially looking to move off some salary, including the contracts of Gabe Vincent or Jarred Vanderbilt, a Melton signing could serve as a savvy reallocation of resources. The front office has limited tools to work with, but value signings like this could be how the Lakers build a deeper, more resilient roster without needing to chase the biggest names.

The elephant in the room is Melton’s back injury. After missing significant time in 2024, teams will need to be assured of his medical clearance before committing any long-term deal. However, the consensus among insiders is that Melton’s injury isn’t viewed as chronic or career-altering. Rather, it was a situational issue exacerbated by workload and timing.

If that holds true, and Melton can prove his fitness during workouts or pre-free agency visits, his stock could rise quickly. Several teams, including the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks, have also expressed interest depending on how their cap situations unfold.

Another factor pushing the Lakers to act decisively this offseason is LeBron James’ ever-present timeline. As long as James is on the roster, the team must operate with urgency. That doesn’t always mean swinging for the fences; it means building a team that can win multiple playoff rounds and withstand the physicality of postseason basketball.

Melton’s playoff chops—especially his ability to pressure ball-handlers, disrupt rhythm offenses, and get deflections—translate well to the postseason. The Lakers struggled to contain speedy guards like Jamal Murray and Anthony Edwards in back-to-back playoff exits. A healthy Melton could change the math defensively in those series.

The Lakers have a lot on their plate this summer. From figuring out D’Angelo Russell’s future to potentially re-signing key role players like Rui Hachimura, and managing Anthony Davis’ long-term health, every move will be scrutinized. In this context, a signing like De’Anthony Melton may not generate the biggest headlines—but it could be among the most meaningful.

Los Angeles needs players who can compete on both ends, accept roles, and elevate the team without disrupting chemistry. Melton, if healthy, checks every one of those boxes. He fits the Lakers’ recent track record of mining defensive-minded guards (like Dennis Schröder or Patrick Beverley) with greater offensive upside and a younger age profile.

Ultimately, if the Lakers can land Melton on a reasonable contract, it could go down as one of the most impactful low-key signings of the summer.