The Golden State Warriors showcased their dominance on Saturday, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 136-116 at Chase Center. Despite the absence of Jimmy Butler due to personal reasons, the Warriors’ offense remained unstoppable, shooting an impressive 55 percent from the field and hitting 23 three-pointers. Eight players scored in double figures, with Stephen Curry contributing 14 points and five assists, while Draymond Green added 20 points and six assists.

Here are three key takeaways from the game:

De’Anthony Melton Proves He’s Worth Far More Than His Salary

De’Anthony Melton, who is currently earning $3.1 million, has been playing like a player worth approximately $30 million. His performance on Saturday was nothing short of spectacular, as he tallied 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal. What makes Melton particularly valuable is his ability to create his own shot, often driving to the paint and scoring over defenders. This skill is rare on a team that only has two other players who can do the same.

Melton also stands out as one of the Warriors’ top defensive players. In the third quarter, he stole the ball from LaMelo Ball, leading to two free throws for the Warriors. According to Cleaning the Glass, Melton had a team-leading plus-19.4 net rating entering the game, placing him in the 99th percentile among all players.

Although Melton isn’t expected to be the primary offensive threat, he stepped up admirably in the absence of Butler. It seems likely that Melton will decline his player option next season, which could lead to a significant increase in his earnings—potentially more than the Warriors can afford. This situation highlights the importance of the Warriors making a strong push this season, as it may be their last realistic chance to contend given the ages of Curry, Butler, and Green.

The Warriors Need a Consolidating Trade

With players like Melton, Will Richard, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody all playing as guards, the Warriors have a deep group of shooters. However, in a playoff series, they can’t realistically play all of them for extended minutes.

This is why a consolidating trade could be beneficial for the team. Acquiring Michael Porter Jr., for example, would allow the Warriors to build a lineup featuring Curry, Melton, Butler, Porter, and Green. Such a combination would give them a powerful offensive attack in the playoffs.

While trading Moses Moody might be necessary, the Warriors would still have Melton, Richard, and Podziemski, meaning they wouldn’t miss Moody much. However, adding Porter would significantly boost their offensive capabilities.

Defenders Need to Start Respecting Draymond Green’s Shot

Green has been shooting an impressive 40.6 percent from three-point range during the homestand, but the Hornets didn’t seem to respect his shot on Saturday. They left him wide open while focusing heavily on guarding Stephen Curry from 40 feet away.

This strategy might make sense when Green is struggling, but he was clearly hot on Saturday. Green finished the game shooting 4-of-8 from beyond the arc, and each of his made shots seemed to halt the Hornets’ momentum.

Once teams start properly defending Green, it should open up more opportunities for Curry and other Warriors players to exploit defensive gaps.

A Potential Kuminga Trade Could Bring Versatility to the Roster

There have been discussions about a potential four-team trade involving Jonathan Kuminga. This move could bring the Warriors a versatile wing and an athletic center, enhancing their depth and flexibility.

Other recent updates include injury reports for Steph Curry and Gui Santos ahead of the Hornets game, as well as news regarding Curry’s health after the Knicks game.