Improve backcourt defense and frontcourt shooting, the Warriors need Melton and Horford too much

In the 2025 offseason that should have been highly anticipated, the Warriors management did not have any reinforcements or signings, and lost center Looney, and Payton Jr. also became a free agent. But according to previous reports, General Manager Dunleavy hopes to improve the team's backcourt defense and frontcourt shooting through operations during the offseason, so 3D defender Melton and 3D center Horford have become the targets of signings. Of course, there have been reports that the two have reached an oral agreement with the Warriors, and the current problem still needs to be resolved.

, and whether the two can successfully join the Warriors, from the perspective of adaptability alone, the Warriors need Melton and Horford too much, and the management's vision is still quite unique.

The Warriors were able to lead the Rockets in the first round with a big score, mainly because of the outbreaks of Hilder and Boger, but both have their own nerve knife attributes and their own shortcomings. The former does not have strong offense with the ball, while the latter does not shoot stably, and the Warriors' No. 2 position always has problems. A few seasons ago, since Clay returned from a serious injury, his deterrence on the defensive end was no longer as good as before. The Warriors' leadership and defense tasks were more subject to Wiggins, and many times, Curry even lets defend his opponent's core offensive arrows.

coach Cole likes to use Payton Jr., but his unstable three-point shooting also makes the attacks of core players such as Curry extremely uncomfortable; especially after Butler's arrival, this problem is particularly obvious.

So, if Payton Jr.'s defense, Boger's panacea, and Hilder's three-point shooting are concentrated on one player, this is the answer to the Warriors' No. 2 position. But in fact, the Warriors already had similar players last season, that is Melton.

In the regular season of the 24-25 season, Melton played six games for the Warriors, averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, with a shooting percentage of 40.7% and a three-point shooting percentage of 37.1%. This is a defender with balanced offense and defense. Whether it is organization, ball attack, or three-point shooting, or leadership defense, it is quite suitable for the Warriors' passing and cutting system. With him, the Warriors' starting lineup will increase greatly, and the compatibility of the Five Tigers will become better.

It can be understood in this way that Melton can be used as Derek White, who is one or two lower levels, so there is a reason why the Warriors were able to play first in the Western Conference at the beginning of last season.

But Melton is still not enough to get the Warriors back to the championship ranks. After all, at the beginning of last season, the Warriors' third position was Wiggins; this is a player with a better three-point shooting than Butler. Although the latter is stronger, three-pointers are not his conventional offensive weapon. With Green, a player who is also regarded as a non-space point, the Warriors' starting No. 5 shooting demand will also become greater, which is why Post was highly reused by Cole in the late season.

In order to make core players Curry and Butler play more smoothly, the Warriors lineup needs a No. 5 position with excellent offense and defense, so it is logical to pursue Horford. Last season, he played 60 regular season games for the Celtics, averaging 6.2 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, shooting 42.3% from the field and 36.3% from three-pointers. Compared with the 44.6% three-point shooting percentage of 22-23 seasons and 41.9% three-point shooting percentage of 23-24 seasons, Horford's outside long shots showed a significant decline.

But with the Warriors' passing and cutting system and the gravitational blessing of Curryku, Horford's 36.3% long shot of 3 points is enough; he has a chance to return the average and shoot a better three-point long shot. Judging from Horford's career data, this is a space-type inside with excellent offense and defense, and has good ball-holding ability, which is perfect for the Warriors' passing and cutting system. With him, Curry and Butler's ball-holding offense will not be so uncomfortable, and the Warriors' starting offensive and defensive combat will inevitably be improved. After all, this is an inside player known as "anti-letter armor".

The reason why he also wants to join the Warriors is that after being beaten to the 2022 Finals, he also wants to experience the fun of a Warriors happy basketball. Furthermore, Horford's child is a Curry fan, and he feels more or less like he wants to realize his dream for his son. He is now 39 years old and has a championship ring in his hand. He has made a lot of money in his career, which is already a perfect journey for him. Playing for the Warriors is likely to be the last dance of Horford's career. What kind of professional performance will Curry play? This is what we are most looking forward to as fans.

If the Warriors really win these two players, the players on the back line may be able to "change the whole thing in zero yuan". Of course, we still have to find a way to deal with Kumingga's problem, which is ultimately a "time bomb".