De'Anthony Melton shares thoughtful response to Warriors trading him last season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

De’Anthony Melton had no hard feelings toward the Warriors after they traded him to the Brooklyn Nets in December of last season.

Melton was off to a strong start with Golden State before he tore his ACL and had season-ending surgery before being shipped to the East Coast.

Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole and Bonta Hill on “Dubs Talk,” Melton recalled what he felt when the Warriors traded him.

“Honestly, I understand business is business,” Melton said. “At the same time, given what my contract was, the mid-level, that’s a serviceable player. You want someone like that who’s going to provide something good for your team. With me going down, and the dip the team took, I understood and I kind of saw it coming. And I think talking with Mike [Dunleavy] and talking with Steve [Kerr], they kind of helped me with that situation, too.

“So I had a feeling it was coming and I understood it. When it was on the horizon, I told them it’s OK. I said, ‘Honestly, I would trade me, too.’ You want someone who’s going to do good for your team and I’m not playing the rest of the year, so it’s something we can re-rock later in the year or next year when it’s time.”

And the Warriors did just that.

Melton’s split from Golden State was short-lived, as the Warriors all summer intended to bring him back this season.

The veteran guard had an inkling about that, too.

“Yeah, I kind of knew,” he said. “Some of the guys checking up on me, from staff to players, to see how I was doing, see how my process was going. So I think that was very helpful for me, to see a team that cares and see players that care, too. So I had a feeling. And obviously the money and stuff, everything worked out.

“So I’m just happy to be back here.”

Melton’s start to the 2025-26 NBA season with the Warriors hasn’t been as promising as his first Warriors stint last year. Through six games since returning from his ACL injury, Melton is averaging just 6.7 points on 28.6-percent shooting from the field and 13.6 percent from 3-point range, with 1.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 18 minutes.

Melton at times has been much more impactful on the other end of the floor, though.

And that could be a step in the right direction to eventually get going on offense.

Nonetheless, Melton is happy to be back in the Bay with the Dubs, and they’re equally as happy about his return.

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