De’Anthony Melton Declines Player Option to Test NBA Free Agency

By declining his option, he will test unrestricted free agency with Golden State's recent financial commitments limiting the team's ability to re-sign him.

Overview

Melton declined his roughly $3.45 million player option and became an unrestricted free agent, a move reported by Spotrac and multiple outlets.
His 2025–26 season produced career-high counting stats—12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals across 49 games—after returning from ACL rehabilitation.
Melton's three-point shooting fell to 29.4% last season after a prior five-season mark of 38.3%, a key evaluative point for teams considering him as a backcourt depth piece.
The timing of the decision on June 30, 2026 opens the market for what outlets expect will be multiple playoff-contending suitors, with local reports linking him to the Suns and other teams.
Golden State's offseason moves, including a reported contract commitment to Kristaps Porziņģis and targets for higher-profile players, make a Warriors re-signing of Melton increasingly unlikely and could push him to seek a larger, multi-year deal elsewhere.