Last night, Theo Maledon was on the pitch in the in-between game for the Hornets in Boston. No runaway: all the leaders of North Carolina were injured and the Hornets took a monumental slap. Boarf, that’s already it. Steve Clifford gave the Frenchie his chance by two-wayand Theo pulls the string of a stable and guaranteed contract in Charlotte more and more.
Game sponsored by the Red Cross last night in Boston. The guys from Bean Town had to deal with the absences of Jaylen Brown and Al Horford, not to mention Rob Williams who still hasn’t started his season. On the hornets side, the list of injured is almost longer than that of the players present: LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Gordon Hayward, Dennis Smith Jr or even Cody Martin were all absent subscribers. The kind of match whose outcome we often know in advance, but which at least has the merit of giving a place to players usually relegated to end of rotation.
It was in this atmosphere that Théo Maledon was able to start the match alongside Kelly Oubre Jr on the backcourt. Mixed results for the former Villeurbannais, with 11 points, 8 assists et 3 interceptions certainly, but frankly bad percentages (4/13 shooting and 1/4 from a distance) and too many impurities (5 bullet losses). However, Maledon had already helped in the victory over Wolves, with 14 points in 25 minutes off the bench.
And Terry Rozier (Illness) has been downgraded to out for the #Hornets tonight in Boston. It’s Theo Maledon time. https://t.co/m4daHNxhJJ
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) November 28, 2022
The young Frenchman, selected in 34e position de la Draft 2020 by the 76ers then traded in stride to Oklahoma City in the company of Al Horford, played two seasons under the colors of the Thunder before being sent in September to Houston. The Rockets unfortunately decided not to keep the Frenchie, but it was ultimately the Hornets who decided to give Maledon a contract two-waynamely a “test” contract to determine whether or not Theo has a place in Charlotte, or whether he will have to return to prove himself in the G-League, at the Greensboro Swarm.
Given the confidence that seems to be granted to the former ASVEL player, the current minutes bonus sounds for Théo Maledon as a real opportunity to sign a new contract guaranteeing him a place in the North Carolinian roster. The precarious situation that a player has to face in two-way is not enviable, and certainly not ideal to perform at the best level, but the qualities of Maledon, whether it is defense or IQ Basket, are obvious and would undoubtedly deserve fifteen minutes each evening in the Grande League. He holds the right end, wish him not to let go.
