2020 NBA Draft - Brew Hoop Community Draft Board: Theo Maledon Rolls to 19

Theo Maledon is a young combo guard out of France, a 6’4” guard with a nearly 6’9” wingspan. He’s a little across the map in terms of where he is on draft boards, with him routinely ranked in the teens across most draftniks except for The Ringer, where he’s 31st. He’s apparently mentored by Tony Parker, which, I mean, we all know how well it went for Thon Maker when he was mentored by Kevin Garnett...so I’ll happily read nothing into that story.

Still, I’m sure the comparisons will be made given his fellow countryman’s success as a late draftee of the San Antonio Spurs and blossoming into an integral part of their machine for so long. Maledon has three seasons under his belt overseas despite being just 19, albeit mostly as a bit player with around 15-17 minutes per game. Across those seasons, here’s how he shot:

• 3-pointers: 214 attempts, 34.6%
• Free throws: 202 attempts, 82.2%

His 3-point percentage was sporadic across every season, going from 40% one year and dipping to sub-30% one year, so there’s no real throughline showing consistent improvement, it’s best to run with the average if we’re interested in seeing how he might perform as a shooter. His playmaking skills will obviously be somewhat tested in the NBA if teams continue to sag off of him while trying to make dribble-drive moves, but his slick passing skills could offset some of those defensive tactics.

He has obvious ability to find a roller on the pick-and-roll, and an adept ability with some lob, cross-court and swift passes to teammates in position on the perimeter and the interior. Those kinds of reads both off the dribble and within the flow of the offense are assuredly pieces of his game that Horst would find as a fit within Bud’s scheme.

One primary issue is that he isn’t an explosive player off the dribble, and you don’t often see him just blowing past his opponent in the highlights above. He’s not speedy like Kira Lewis Jr., so he has to rely more on craftiness and finding teammates for a proper finish to optimize his offensive output. At 175, adding more bulk to his frame would help him when he’s still trying to get to the rim and finish through contact. He could be eaten alive by current defenders if he stays as slight as he is.

As a young player with the raw guard skills that seem like they could benefit from tutelage under Bud’s staff, I’m pretty intrigued by Maledon. The passing flashes may loom too large as a positive in my mind, but he seems like a worthy gamble if still available at 24.

You can read more about Maledon in our scouting report from earlier this year, but let’s keep going with the poll.

This poll will close at 1 pm (CST) on Thursday, November 12.

Brew Hoop Draft Board Rankings

1. Anthony Edwards, SG, Georgia
2. LaMelo Ball, PG, Illawarra Hawks
3. James Wiseman, C, Memphis
4. Deni Avdija, SF, Israel
5. Isaac Okoro, SF, Auburn
6. Onyeka Okongwu, C, USC
7. Killian Hayes, PG, France
8. Obi Toppin, PF, Dayton
9. Devin Vassell, SG, Florida State
10. Tyrese Haliburton, PG, Iowa State
11. Aaron Nesmith, SF, Vanderbilt
12. Tyrell Terry, PG, Stanford
13. Cole Anthony, PG, North Carolina
14. Kira Lewis Jr., PG, Alabama
15. Tyrese Maxey, SG, Kentucky
16. Patrick Williams, SF, Florida State
17. Saddiq Bey, PF, Villanova
18. Precious Achiuwa, PF, Memphis
19. Theo Maledon, PG, France