Lakers Must Make De'Anthony Melton Contract a Priority amid NBA Free Agency Rumors

Slowly but surely, the Los Angeles Lakers are working their way through their 2025 NBA offseason wish list.

They filled a need for perimeter defense and athleticism by adding Adou Thiero at the draft. They attacked their shooting shortage by signing Jake LaRavia. They addressed their interior void by adding former top pick Deandre Ayton, then brought back Jaxson Hayes to give them some depth at the 5.

There maybe isn't a jaw-dropping move in the mix, but these are all productive pickups that should have this rotation in better shape when the 2025-26 season tips.

The Lakers shouldn't be done yet, though. They should still be on the lookout for backcourt depth, and it sounds like they already know where to find it.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Lakers are "widely anticipated" to add defense-first combo guard De'Anthony Melton.

"I haven't heard anything new," Fischer said recently, "we're just still expecting he will eventually sign with the Lakers."

While it's possible Melton's representatives are still poking around for more money than L.A. can offer, that search could come up dry. Cap space was limited around the league before free agency opened, and the waves of signings since have come close to draining the pool.

Plus, Melton's ongoing availability issues always seemed likely to steer him toward a prove-it pact, anyway.

Through his first seven NBA seasons, he crested 70 games fewer times (twice) than he was held to 50 appearances or less (three times). He managed just six outings this past season before a partial tear of his left ACL sidelined him for good.

Provided these absences are factored into the cost of his next contract, though, there's bargain potential here.

A healthy Melton is a legitimate difference-maker. He'll never have gaudy enough numbers to convince anyone he's a star, but he routinely has a positive impact on his team's success. For his career, his clubs have fared 2.9 points better per 100 possessions with him than without, per Basketball-Reference.

He has quick hands, quick feet and great instincts on defense. He is long enough to play bigger than his 6'2" size. He can pilot an offense and be a wrecking ball in transition. Plus, the reliability he's found from range (36-plus percent from three in five consecutive seasons) make him an offensive asset whether he's on or off the ball.

He is your proverbial "makes winning plays" kind of role player who fans love, coaches appreciate and stars get enhanced by. If he could stay healthy, he'd be a significant upgrade over Gabe Vincent.

Melton's free agency decision won't make or break the Lakers' offseason, but adding him would be another step in the right direction. Luckily, it sounds like their decision-makers already know that.