Warriors Insights: Porzingis, Melton Influence, Santos Highlights

Kristaps Porzingis faces unrestricted free agency this summer if he does not sign an extension. The Warriors have spent recent weeks evaluating the veteran center as he weighs his options.

Porzingis’ health and fit in Golden State

Porzingis has praised the team’s medical staff during his time with the organization. He singled out Rick Celebrini, Golden State’s director of sports medicine and performance, for his role in Porzingis’ recovery.

The Latvian big man has played in seven of the Warriors’ last nine games. He says he is trending toward being able to play in back-to-back sets on April 1-2 and April 9-10.

Warriors Insights: Porzingis

Porzingis is not logging heavy minutes yet. He expects minutes to increase as he feels better. The next step, he said, would be earning chances on consecutive-game nights.

He has also welcomed the idea of playing alongside Stephen Curry. That pairing has not materialized because Curry has been sidelined since late January with a knee issue. Curry is a 12-time All-Star guard.

Contract situations and roster context

De’Anthony Melton holds a $3.5 million player option for next season. The 27-year-old indicated he will likely decline that option and test the market.

Melton told 95.7 The Game’s Steiny and Guru show that he wants compensation reflecting his years in the league. Golden State controls only his Non-Bird rights, which complicates a re-signing.

Melton Influence

Turning down the player option would make Melton an unrestricted decision for the offseason. His potential departure could alter the Warriors’ roster construction.

Gui Santos steps up

Gui Santos’ role has expanded following injuries elsewhere in the league. Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL in January, and Moses Moody later tore a patellar tendon.

With those losses, Santos emerged as the primary wing on Golden State’s roster. The 23-year-old delivered a career-high 31 points in a recent win over Brooklyn.

Santos Highlights

Santos signed a three-year, $15 million extension at the end of February. That deal now looks favorable for the Warriors given his increased production.

Tactical notes and late-season outlook

With a shorthanded roster, getting to the free-throw line will matter more down the stretch. Porzingis’ ability to post up smaller defenders can help generate trips to the line.

Coaches may slow the game when Porzingis is on the floor to maximize matchups. His continued health and availability could influence Golden State’s rotation into the playoffs.

• Porzingis: appeared in 7 of last 9 games.
• Back-to-back windows remaining: April 1-2 and April 9-10.
• Melton: 27 years old; $3.5M player option.
• Santos: 23 years old; career-high 31 points; three-year, $15M extension.

Reporting on these developments has been consolidated from accounts by Monte Poole, Nick Avila, Danny Emerman, and Dalton Johnson at Filmogaz.com.