Theo Maledon: Best PG In The Draft?

[OGLife]

His game is very tailored for the NBA and he reminds me a lot of a young Tony Parker or Kyle Lowry.

Why is Melo and Haynes getting pushed up broads while this guy is slept on?

[The-Power]

Why is Melo and Haynes getting pushed up broads while this guy is slept on?

Because a lot of people who have watched these players came to the conclusion that Ball and Hayes are better prospects than Maledon. You'll find many posts about these guys in our threads and other corners of the internet that can help you understand the reasoning, if you are willing to listen.

[BlazersBroncos]

I like Maledon more than Ball because he has the potential to fill a number of roles whereas Ball is all or nothing a 25%+ usage 1/2 option. But Haynes has much, much more to like on offense and has a feel for the game at 19 years that Maledon may not ever have in his entire career. But I like Theo as a middle pick for a team wanting a low usage hustle guard who can defend 1/2 equally as well. A sort of Kris Dunn with a better jumper, but at the same time I could easily see Theo developing into a much better scorer.

[OGLife]

I like Maledon more than Ball because he has the potential to fill a number of roles whereas Ball is all or nothing a 25%+ usage 1/2 option. But Haynes has much, much more to like on offense and has a feel for the game at 19 years that Maledon may not ever have in his entire career. But I like Theo as a middle pick for a team wanting a low usage hustle guard who can defend 1/2 equally as well. A sort of Kris Dunn with a better jumper, but at the same time I could easily see Theo developing into a much better scorer.

What I question with Killian is his ability to play off ball. He's too ball dominant and he tends to use his size and speed to get to the rim. I just don't see a generalizational talent where you can build a team with shooters around him. He's not that talented.

However, he's my third/forth PG with RJ. He just screams Michael Carter Williams.

[Catchall]

Physically, Maledon is similar to Delon Wright or Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He has good size and decent athleticism, but isn't really explosive. He has a nice well-rounded set of skills, with an ability to play either on or off the ball, and if he can add strength, he should be able to guard 2 or even 3 positions. He's also young and has played significant minutes at a high level in Europe.

The fact that he plays under control and makes conservative decisions with the ball can sometimes hide his ability to make big plays, though I think he has that ability.

I think the perception with him is that he's a good player, but doesn't have the same type of upside as Lamelo, Kilian or Tyrese Haliburton. There are a lot of guards in this draft, and some of them are going to slip just due to it being a numbers game. I think Maledon could end up going anywhere from around 15 to 25, depending on how the draft shakes out.

I think he's on the Jazz's radar in the early 20s, as a guy who could play next to Mitchell, both on and off the ball. He can also help keep the peace with Rudy Gobert, since the two know each other from France.

[EvanZ]

His game is very tailored for the NBA and he reminds me a lot of a young Tony Parker or Kyle Lowry.

In what way does he remind you of either of these guys? Tony Parker because French?

[OGLife]

His game is very tailored for the NBA and he reminds me a lot of a young Tony Parker or Kyle Lowry.

In what way does he remind you of either of these guys? Tony Parker because French?

[OGLife]

His game is very tailored for the NBA and he reminds me a lot of a young Tony Parker or Kyle Lowry.

In what way does he remind you of either of these guys? Tony Parker because French?

High IQ, pass first, underrated defense. Plus he is a 3 level scorer.

I believe Parker is the owner of the team he's on so I'm sure he gives the young guy some pointers.

[RiotPunch]

Kyle Lowry?

[HeadtopChunes]

I can see it.

Hes not the passer that Lamelo is, but he’s better at everything else.

Theo is a great finisher, underrated athlete, has some pretty great upside as a shooter and a decent defender(some argue the contrary but i think hes been fine and sometimes good in EL)

I have him as a top 5ish guy in this class

[Mirotic12]

I can see it.

Hes not the passer that Lamelo is, but he’s better at everything else.

Theo is a great finisher, underrated athlete, has some pretty great upside as a shooter and a decent defender(some argue the contrary but i think hes been fine and sometimes good in EL)

I have him as a top 5ish guy in this class

He's easily one of the worst defenders that's ever played in EuroLeague.

[mademan]

i dont think he's the best, but its crazy some mocks have him dropping to early-mid 20's. Some team is gonna get a coup in there

[HeadtopChunes]

I can see it.

Hes not the passer that Lamelo is, but he’s better at everything else.

Theo is a great finisher, underrated athlete, has some pretty great upside as a shooter and a decent defender(some argue the contrary but i think hes been fine and sometimes good in EL)

I have him as a top 5ish guy in this class

He's easily one of the worst defenders that's ever played in EuroLeague.

Not remotely true

[getrichordie]

His game is very tailored for the NBA and he reminds me a lot of a young Tony Parker or Kyle Lowry.

In what way does he remind you of either of these guys? Tony Parker because French?

High IQ, pass first, underrated defense. Plus he is a 3 level scorer.

I believe Parker is the owner of the team he's on so I'm sure he gives the young guy some pointers.

Exactly! Completely agree with your assessment.

You would do well to ignore EvanZ, or even add him to your block list. He's got a cool avatar, but that's about the only positive thing I can say about the guy.

[Catchall]

I'd be tempted to take Kira Lewis over Maledon, along with Lamelo, Hayes and Haliburton. Kira's speed on a spaced floor is going to be tough to contain.

[Pinkyring]

In what way does he remind you of either of these guys? Tony Parker because French?

High IQ, pass first, underrated defense. Plus he is a 3 level scorer.

I believe Parker is the owner of the team he's on so I'm sure he gives the young guy some pointers.

Exactly! Completely agree with your assessment.

You would do well to ignore EvanZ, or even add him to your block list. He's got a cool avatar, but that's about the only positive thing I can say about the guy.

None of that describes tp he was a scoring guard with below average defense and never ahowed anything remotely close to a high iq

[getrichordie]

None of that describes tp he was a scoring guard with below average defense and never ahowed anything remotely close to a high iq

Tony Parker wasn't a high IQ point guard?

That's a tough sell.

Would Tony Parker 2.0 make you feel better?

[NotACat]

I think he's at least a tier below Kira who's a tier below Lamelo and Killian. Both Killian and Lamelo have what it takes to be a lead ball handler in the NBA, Kira should as long as the passing is legit.

I just don't see that with Theo and if he's not a lead ball handler, there's much better options for an off-ball guard or secondary ball handler.

[Richard4444]

He could be Tony Parker, Kyle Lowry type. But he also can turn into a Kris Dunn, Frank Ntilikina, MCW or Jerian Grant type of player. Thats why he is a late FRP guy. High risk high reward type of player.

[getrichordie]

He could be Tony Parker, Kyle Lowry type. But he also can turn into a Kris Dunn, Frank Ntilikina, MCW or Jerian Grant type of player. Thats why he is a late FRP guy. High risk high reward type of player.

He projects to be a much better shooter than the last 4 guys you mentioned.