Mr. Pei is taking action again! Melton is expected to join the Lakers and get a bargaining 3D defender to assist Donghuang in the championship?

On July 4, according to NBA reporter Brett Segal, there is growing expectation within the league that Melton will eventually join the Lakers. According to previous reports, Melton and the Warriors are interested in reuniting, but this situation seems to have changed after the free market opened this summer. Melton was a starting-level shooting guard before being injured, with good three-point ability and defensive ability.

Melton played 6 games for the Warriors in 2024-25, averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game, shooting percentage of 40.7%, three-point shooting percentage of 37.1%, free throw percentage of 62.5%, and averaging 2.2 three-pointers per game. Melton performed well in two starts. He contributed 19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals, and 5 of 8 three-pointers, helping the Warriors defeat the Thunder 127-116. He contributed 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal, and 2 of 6 three-pointers, helping the Warriors defeat the Mavericks 120-117.

But Melton suffered a torn knee ligament in the match against the Mavericks. In December 2024, Melton was traded to the Nets by the Warriors.

This summer, Melton has returned to freedom and is still recovering from injury, but is expected to return in the new season. The healthy Melton is a very practical defender. He has performed well with the Grizzlies, the Sixers and the Warriors, with a career three-point shooting percentage of 36.9%, and averaging 1.4 steals per game.

The Lakers currently have 15 people with regular contracts - Doncic, James, Reeves, Hachimura, Vanderbilt, Klebel, Ayton, Hays, Kneckett, Vincent, Laravia, Brownie, Goodwin (unsecured), Milton (unsecured), and Thiero. Goodwin and Milton's contracts are insured, and the Lakers are likely to trade this summer, and Vincent and Kleber may be used to trade. Therefore, it is normal for the Lakers to continue to sign people.

For the Lakers, if they sign Melton, it will help improve the strength of the back line. After all, a healthy Melton is better than Vincent. Melton can be used as a double-energy guard, and his ability to be better than Vincent on both offense and defense. The Warriors currently seem to be prioritizing the settlement of Kumingga's contract issue, and are still holding back in other aspects.

In addition, Siegel also said that if Bill follows Lillard's approach to completing the contract buyout, he will become a free agent for each team, and many teams will hope to sign him with a basic salary contract. The Heat, Lakers, Clippers, Warriors and Bucks are all interested in introducing Bills with small contracts.