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Warriors Signing 2 Guards After Al Horford Multi-Year Deal – $12.8M & $7.9M

Posted on September 29, 2025 - 2:37 am by

The Golden State Warriors are wasting no time in fortifying their roster this weekend, racing against the clock to add depth amid the lingering uncertainty of power forward Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency saga.

After a quiet offseason dominated by draft picks and little else, the Warriors are finally making moves to solidify their lineup just days before training camp kicks off.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, free agent guards De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II are set to ink deals that will reunite them with Golden State for the 2025-26 season. They’ll join forces with veteran big man Al Horford, the former Boston Celtics standout who locked in a multi-year contract early Sunday morning.

While full details on the agreements remain under wraps—beyond Horford’s extended commitment—longtime NBA insider Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson reported that discussions around Payton centered on a two-year, $7.9 million pact. That figure could shift depending on the outcome of Kuminga’s negotiations, which have stalled much of the team’s offseason activity, including finalizing deals with their draft selections.

Kuminga faces a looming October 1 deadline to exercise his $7.9 million qualifying offer, his primary bargaining chip in talks. The Warriors are pushing for a more substantial, long-term extension that could enhance his trade value—either in an immediate sign-and-trade or down the line during the season.

Yet, team president Mike Dunleavy Jr. isn’t letting the impasse slow him down, prioritizing a complete roster as training camp begins Monday.

Charania also revealed that the Warriors have officially signed one of their second-round draft gems, No. 56 pick Will Richard from Villanova, to a four-year contract—marking a long-awaited step forward.

At 32, Payton returns for his sixth stint with Golden State, albeit non-consecutively. The defensive specialist played a pivotal role in their 2022 championship run before departing for a richer deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. He was traded back midway through the 2022-23 season. Last year, on a 48-34 Warriors squad, Payton posted 6.5 points per game on efficient .574/.326/.711 shooting, along with 3.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 steals.

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Melton, standing at 6-foot-2, joined Golden State last summer on a one-year, $12.8 million contract. He quickly became head coach Steve Kerr’s go-to starter alongside superstar Stephen Curry, but an ACL tear after just six games derailed his season. Traded to the Brooklyn Nets to acquire veteran depth, Melton still impressed in his limited action: 10.3 points on .407/.371/.625 splits, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.

With Horford, Curry, and future Hall of Famers Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green expected to anchor the starting five, the final spot is wide open. Both Melton and Payton could emerge as strong contenders, bringing grit, defense, and familiarity to a team hungry for another title push.