Last 12 months, in his sophomore season, Theo Maledon, performed in 51 video games for the Oklahoma City Thunder however didn’t persuade the entrance workplace to maintain him round. The French guard prospect averaged a disappointing 7.1 factors per sport on simply 50% true taking pictures after being given nearly 18 minutes an evening.
And simply earlier than the 2022-23 season opened up, Maledon was traded together with Derrick Favors, Ty Jerome, and Maurice Harkless to the Houston Rockets in a transfer designed to chop wage and make room for the incoming draft class.
Maledon could be waived by the Rockets simply 12 days later.
After spending 4 days as a free agent, the previous thirty fourth general choose signed a two-way contract with the Charlotte Hornets, persevering with his journey to carve out a path as an NBA participant. And it appears like he may be making a bit headway.
A large number of harm points has plagued a Hornets’ back-court that features LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, and Dennis Smith, Jr. That has led to Maledon filling in and taking part in in 19 of a doable 21 video games, averaging 16.5 minutes per contest. In these treasured minutes, Maledon has nonetheless regarded erratic and unpolished for essentially the most half, however it’s clear that some development has taken place.
In restricted minutes and in a principally restricted function, Maledon is producing only a few factors, rebounds, and assists. But that doesn’t paint the entire image. Watch the movie, and Maledon is definitely giving nice effort on the defensive finish, evidenced by his steal share of two.5 and a block share of 1.1.
Maledon appears extra comfy taking pictures the ball, too. On the season, he’s taking pictures 45.6% from the sphere, 36.7% from past the arc, and 87% from the charity stripe. In comparability, Maledon’s percentages weren’t as nice in his final 12 months with the Thunder as he shot 37.5%, 29.3%, and 79%, respectively.
The Frenchmen’s improved taking pictures has helped him produce some strong performances this season, too.
In late October, Maledon recorded a season-high 15-points in simply 16 minutes in a loss to the New York Knicks. He shot 6-of-7 from the sphere, together with going 2-for-2 on 3-pointers, and got here away with 4 assists, one steal, and only one turnover. Maledon additionally put up 14 factors and three assists in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic in November, serving to the Hornets to a victory in each video games.
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