Hornets sign Theo Maledon

[JDR720]

https://www.atthehive.com/2022/10/14/23404692/charlotte-hornets-news-sign-guard-theo-maledon-to-a-two-way-contract

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[SWedd523]

Didn't bravor or somebody scoop this?

[fatlever]

just be better than crutcher for our swarm

[luciano-davidwesley]

just be better than crutcher for our swarm

Yes hopefully the Swarm can get some decent PG play now.

[JDR720]

He averaged 10/3/3 his rookie year and was the 34th pick.

Wouldn't be shocked if he's our 3rd PG this season.

[Diop]

He surprised okc his rookie year and got the starting spot. He can shoot, I like this pickup

[Benjamin Linus]

Looking back he was projected to go 24th in the LaMelo draft by The Ringer

Height - 6'4
Wingspan - 6'8.5

He was considered a potential top-10 pick by many teams before the season, but he was underwhelming and his stock has dropped accordingly. However, he still brings a seasoned feel for the game with the upside to be a steadying presence for his team.

Strong floor general who’s become a potent shooter, though his lack of burst may limit his upside.

SHADES OF: Derek Anderson, Nate McMillan, Kirk Hinrich

PLUSES
Plays with a controlled pace in the pick-and-roll. He loves to use hesitations to compensate for his lack of athleticism. He’s a dual threat, dangerous as both a passer and shooter off the dribble.
Shoots well off the catch and off the dribble. He’s not dynamic, but has nice form and can score when called upon.
Crafty finisher who is comfortable scoring off the wrong foot or with his off-hand. He has a nice touch on off-balance layups, finger rolls, and floaters.
Sturdy frame with long arms; he projects as a reliable man-to-man defender if his fundamentals improve.
He has made steady progress each season and possesses a high work ethic. He’s also mentored by Spurs legend Tony Parker.

MINUSES
Struggles to create space despite his change of pace and use of in-out dribbles and crossovers. He gets enveloped by quality defenders who beat him to his spot, and currently lacks the ability to counterattack.
Doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the rim as a ball handler, which may limit his value as a playmaker if he’s not creating angles for kickout 3s. The flashes are there, but he must master his handle.
Despite his size, he hasn’t had success on switches against larger players, offering little resistance.
He defends on his heels, which slows down his lateral slides. And he bites on too many shot fakes.

[bravor]

Not a big fan honnestly. He is from the Hayes generation (along with Gauzin, Cazalon) but so far none have been developing like we wished. Hayes is still the best bet (with Cazalon, i am still high on him but he made horrible choices in terms of teams) as he can play on both ends, the problem being his shoot as everyone knows. Maledon has mostly only his scoring skills to show, as defensively he is really average at best (i am nice, here).

Maledon has a jumper but he does not seem agressive when he should be, and he's not a pg. His speed makes him a very nice transition combo guard but in half court he is just bad unless he can have a very bad defender against him. Skillset is way too limited for him despite having been in the league for 2 years.
I remember Batum and alike, they developped a midrange, something that Hayes has but i never saw Maledon develop anything like that. It's basically either 3's or lay up. He can score on the pnr from that though, that's at least something he can do.

His personnality is fine, but i dont think anybody cares about this as long as the guy is mistake free (and he has some really bad turnovers, that's his biggest weakness for me, and it comes from poor court vision and execution). Its not like Hornets are taking any risk there

I would have hoped a franchise like the Hornets would have tried Doumbouya. The dude is a legit nba player for everything but what's inside his head (maturity..) but he will figure it out, the question being how fast.

[CuseMayne]

Actually a really solid pickup IMO...

And worst comes to worst and we tank, he can help welcome Victor to Charlotte

Nah for real though, he should probably be equal to or slightly ahead DSJ no...?

[amcoolio]

Honestly he's better than DSJ

[CuseMayne]

I'm actually hyped about this pickup...has there been any news on DSJ's contract btw?

[yosemiteben]

Read on Twitter

By my count he went 14/17

[Braggins]

Seems kind of weird for OKC to cut someone whos still 21 and seems to have a bit of potential.

[Diop]

Not a big fan honnestly. He is from the Hayes generation (along with Gauzin, Cazalon) but so far none have been developing like we wished. Hayes is still the best bet (with Cazalon, i am still high on him but he made horrible choices in terms of teams) as he can play on both ends, the problem being his shoot as everyone knows. Maledon has mostly only his scoring skills to show, as defensively he is really average at best (i am nice, here).

Maledon has a jumper but he does not seem agressive when he should be, and he's not a pg. His speed makes him a very nice transition combo guard but in half court he is just bad unless he can have a very bad defender against him. Skillset is way too limited for him despite having been in the league for 2 years.
I remember Batum and alike, they developped a midrange, something that Hayes has but i never saw Maledon develop anything like that. It's basically either 3's or lay up. He can score on the pnr from that though, that's at least something he can do.

His personnality is fine, but i dont think anybody cares about this as long as the guy is mistake free (and he has some really bad turnovers, that's his biggest weakness for me, and it comes from poor court vision and execution). Its not like Hornets are taking any risk there

I would have hoped a franchise like the Hornets would have tried Doumbouya. The dude is a legit nba player for everything but what's inside his head (maturity..) but he will figure it out, the question being how fast.

that threw some cold water on my hopes.

i guess with Kai, Thor, McD they probably thought they had enough project forwards. Doumbouya probably wouldnt get a look in here.

[CuseMayne]

I mean at the very least he's extraordinarily better than Crutcher and will give the Swarm competant PG play/should really help Mark and Kai down there. I think he's better than a G leaguer though.

[a-French-Fan]

Seems kind of weird for OKC to cut someone whos still 21 and seems to have a bit of potential.

Not so weird when they sign Mokoka few days later. OKC wants to tank and even not try to hide it!
Waiving Maledon ... why not... but then signing Mokoka ...
I could not believe it! Maledon could be an interesting role player right now, when Mokoka is not a true NBA player ...

[UNCNYC]

Actually a really solid pickup IMO...

And worst comes to worst and we tank, he can help welcome Victor to Charlotte

Nah for real though, he should probably be equal to or slightly ahead DSJ no...?

Tough to say... They might opt for DJ since he was here longer. But I think Cliff will find room for both somehow especially during a major losing season. I like the signing of both he and DJ but just for insurance. I am more of a fan of Theo but I like what DJ brings or is/was capable of.

[wilson115]

Actually a really solid pickup IMO...

And worst comes to worst and we tank, he can help welcome Victor to Charlotte

Nah for real though, he should probably be equal to or slightly ahead DSJ no...?

The tank is on!

[CuseMayne]

Hoping to see this kid play 15+min tonight. He can be something.

[Diop]

Pretty impressive start for a young 2 way, seems to play solid as a point guard and has a sweet stroke.