For his fourth season in the NBA, Théo Maledon no longer enters Steve Clifford’s plans at the Hornets, despite the injury to the holder at his position LaMelo Ball. The reason was insufficient performance at the start of the season.
It could be expected that Theo Maledon (1.93 m, 22 years old) is getting some playing time back, but that is apparently not in Steve Clifford’s plans. After the injury of his starting leader LaMelo Ball, the American coach made his choices. These unfortunately do not include French. And we can’t blame him, since his players have racked up as many victories (3) in the last 5 matches as in the first 12. With a back rotation consisting of Terry Rozier, Bryce McGowens and Ish Smith. A shortened rotation with players capable of contributing immediately, in order to maintain the Hornets’ play-in hopes.
Exit Théo Maledon, who has only played 13 minutes in total over the last two weeks. Still benched last night against Minnesota, the native of Rouen, who was included in the squad at the start of the season with around fifteen minutes per match – after missing the pre-season due to an injury to the right shoulder – did not satisfy the coaching staff. He did not know how to lead the second unit of the Hornets, nor bring something that would have distinguished him from his competitors. Clifford’s compliments at the end of last season seem a long way off. The latter then praised Maledon’s ability to “organize the team and give good possessions”. While being “very incisive and with good vision of the game.”
Blocked future
This season, his statistics of 4.2 points at 29% shooting success, including 17% at 3-points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists are largely insufficient. He was notably the author of a poor outing at 2/12 on shots just before being removed from the rotation. Aggression is therefore not the problem, but rather technical mastery and accuracy in choices. Despite everything, the leader drafted by Philadelphia in 2020 (then transferred to the Thunder) was not sent to the G-League. He will surely be later this season, he who is only entitled to 50 appearances on NBA match sheets. The maximum total authorized by its two-way contract.
In the meantime, Maledon continues to train with the Hornets, and only participates in garbage times matches. Looking forward to a possible opportunity. But the upcoming return from injury of his compatriot Frank Ntilikina as well as the rise in power of rookie Nick Smith Junior seem to block the future of his position. Which will also not help his case for the French Team with a view to the Paris Olympics. His rating should not rise in the eyes of Vincent Collet, who visited him during an NBA match.
2023-12-02 23:11:00
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