It's been a busy NBA free agency period for Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy, from the departure of franchise icon Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks to the addition of several new faces to Golden State.
The Warriors acquired Kyle Anderson and Buddy Hield in a six-team sign-and-trade deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets and Denver Nuggets, while Golden State added guard De'Anthony Melton to a one-year contract worth a reported $12.8 million.
Golden State has been linked to trade rumors surrounding Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, but those reports have not materialized. That being said, here's how NBA experts rate the Warriors' moves so far:
Buddy Hield: B-plus
“Hield is an excellent imitator of Thompson's shot. Over the past two seasons, Hield has made slightly better 3-point attempts than Thompson (41 percent vs. Thompson's 40 percent) at a slightly lower volume (9.6 attempts per 36 minutes vs. Thompson's 11.2). Thompson is a more complete scorer and a better defender, even if ACL and Achilles injuries have robbed him of the quickness that once made him a top-tier perimeter stopper…” -Kevin Pelton
Kyle Anderson: B minus
“Anderson is a good fit with the Warriors. I think how Golden State uses him will have some overlap with the role Shaun Livingston once played for the Warriors as a non-shooter (Anderson shot just 23% from three last year and 34% his career, and takes a long time to actually make shots). His basketball IQ fits well in the Warriors' system.” – Pelton
De'Anthony Melton: A minus
“A standout in terms of advanced overall statistics dating back to his lone collegiate season at USC, Melton has filled up the box score and developed into an above-average three-point shooter, making 38% of his attempts over the past four seasons. As a result, Melton's teams have generally played better with him on the court. Last season, the combination of Melton's lumbar stress reaction injury in his back and Joel Embiid's knee surgery resulted in a sizeable difference of 10.3 points per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass analysis…” – Pelton
De'Anthony Melton: B-plus
“While no Klay Thompson, Melton could help the Warriors recover a bit from his absence. He won't be feared as a shooter like Thompson is, but Melton can defend at 94 feet. Having guys like him, Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski on the floor at the same time could give Golden State's perimeter defense a big boost. Melton will have to stay healthy, but this would be a great addition. The team would have been better with Thompson still around.” – Zach Harper
De'Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson: A-
“… The Warriors quietly made the best signing of any free agent by acquiring Melton. Back injuries were a major issue for him during his time with the Sixers last season. Once that is resolved, he is a starter-caliber player with good defensive instincts and an effective three-point shot. Melton has a very good chance of outperforming Thompson next year if he can return to the level he was at two seasons ago.”
The Warriors also got some extra playmaking (and a little slower) with Anderson. Anderson is a good defender and has great feel, but he has arguably the slowest 3-point shot in the league. Getting someone who can help drive the offense while Curry is resting is a solid addition for the Warriors.” – Stephen Noh
Kyle Anderson: A
“Though he struggled in 2023-24, especially as a shooter, Kyle Anderson can defend the 3, 4, 5 and carry the offense as a point forward. He plays at his own pace, but his passing, vision and feel for the game have earned him the moniker of 'the Warriors' for years. The coaching staff will take advantage of his wide skill set.”
Buddy Hield: B-minus
“Hield is a big-time shooter and will have a decent role on this team, but he struggled late in the 2023-24 season and fell out of Philadelphia's rotation. This is a great move, but one that comes with some big downsides for Golden State.” – Chinmay Vaidya
Kyle Anderson: B
“It's not a move that will put the Warriors over the top, but it's a nice addition to have in the rotation. They still have a lot of work to do to build a championship contender team.” – Vaidya
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