By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Phoenix Suns claimed the two-way contract of Theo Maledon off waivers. He was released on Thursday by the Charlotte Hornets.
“He is a really interesting prospect,” head coach Frank Vogel confirmed the addition before leading his side to the win against the Washington Wizards on the latest installment of NBA Sundays, “He is young, has a really good floor game from a point guard standpoint, is an improved shooter, has good size, and someone that has been on our front office’s radar for some time. We saw he is being waived and someone that we wanted to get into our system and see how he is with us.”
Maledon, 22, was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2020. A youth product of LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne with experience in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup, he was selected with the 34th pick. However, he did not ink a contract to officially join the Sixers.
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired his rights and signed him midway through the 2020-21 season. Before the 2022-23 season, he was traded to the Houston Rockets and waived. From there, he penned a two-way contract with the Hornets and earned another two-way contract last September. The latter contract was picked up by the Suns.
The native of Rouen has appeared in 173 games between the Hornets and Thunder. In 2023-24, he averaged 4.2 points, 2.2 assists, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.5 steals per contest over 13 features, including one start under the guidance of Steve Clifford.
Apart from making it to France’s Jeep Elite and in European club continental competitions with ASVEL, he represented France’s senior national team in the 2022 EuroBasket, capturing a silver medal.
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