Theo Maledon

Théo Maledon, Oklahoma City Thunder – 34^th overall

65 G, 10.1 PTS, 3.2 REB, 3.5 AST, 0.9 STL, 2.2 TOV | 36.8 FG%, 33.5 3P%, 74.8 FT%, 45.4 eFG%

Maledon played a large role for the Thunder this season, leading the team in total minutes and averaging 27.4 minutes per game. Similar to Pokusevski, Maledon stepped up his game after the All-Star break. He had to become more aggressive after the George Hill trade and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander injury, which led to a higher comfort level and surge in scoring. His shooting needs work, especially when finishing at the rim, but he has the potential to be a solid soccer and good playmaker. Maledon is in a great situation with the Thunder who will continue to give him significant playing time to develop. He definitely proved this year that he was worthy of being a higher pick than 34th overall.

Theo Maledon is having tremendous season for Asvel and numbers or even consistency is mind blowing for someone not even draft eligible yet playing on such a high level. He already made senior NT debut and could arguably sit ex aequo on 1st place with Deni Avdija and at the moment seems like a strong candidate for being selected in lottery of 2020 NBA Draft. Next season his team will take one of two spots in extended Euroleague and watching Theo on highest possible European level will be almost as fun as with Luka Doncic not so long ago.

THEO MALEDON – Before the season I wrote that if someone is ready for high level pro basketball at this age & on such a demanding position it’s definitely Theo Maledon. However how quickly and how much he was able to contribute is way beyond the expectations. Young French guard had some ridiculously good games in domestic league. He still interweaves them with minor setbacks and is a bit less efficient in Eurocup which is absolutely normal. However for the first time he leads backcourt players in our 2001 ranking over Nico Mannion and his countrymen Killian Hayes whose team is struggling big time and who may have slightly less playing time after appointment of new/old coach – Erman Kunter. As he is not even eligible yet, scouts can’t wait for the next season when ASVEL will be back in Euroleague to watch Theo competing against the best players on the continent every week. Those performances will determine whether he really has a chance to get drafted in the lottery.

Another name is Theo Maledon. Lately French talented point guard signed his first professional contract with Tony Parker’s team. It is unbelievably hard to get playing time especially on point guard position at that age but if someone can make it then it’s Theo Maledon. His polish, IQ and mindset was always way beyond his age group since we started following him few years ago. While it’s hard to expect regular solid minutes since team added another experienced & high level PG (Mantas Kalnietis), Theo may occasionally appear on the court in home games but rather in domestic league. Anyway he is not eligible before 2020.