Sixers Prospect Watch: Theo Maledon
The Sixers enter this offseason with holes and weakness all over their roster, however, adding a young and talented player is no doubt one of, if not THE, biggest need the Sixers have this offseason.
Holding the 21st pick in the 2020 NBA Draft on November 18th, it would come as a surprise to nobody if they targeted a young guard who excels shooting from the perimeter but can also hold his own on the defensive side of the ball. Insert Theo Maledon, a 19-year-old guard from the Euroleague who played for ASVEL (France) most recently.
Before I explain Maledon’s fit with the Sixers, It is important to realize there is a solid chance that he is gone by the Sixers pick at 21, as he is regarded by many as a “Projected Top-20 Pick”. However, if the Sixers find enough things attractive about Malefon and his game, don’t be surprised to see them jump up a few spots to grab him.
The Sixers had to pull a similar maneuver in last year’s draft when they traded up to grab Matisse Thybulle, the guard out of Washington who they fell in love with and who would eventually become one of the better rookies in the league during his first year.
If the Sixers find Maledon’s talents and abilities as attractive as Thybulle’s, don’t be surprised if they traded up yet again.
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Maledon seems to thrive best when shooting from the perimeter, an attribute that would definitely assist the Sixers with their biggest problems in recent years, but also thrives when working off of the screen in pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop situations. The Sixers were already a team that found success in screening situations due to their size, but now with Doc Rivers coming in and installing his pick-and-roll heavy offense on the Sixers, Maledon would be a great piece to add.
Also, the Sixers have struggled in the backup point-guard spot in recent years. Luckily, Maledon not only has experience running the point guard position but also has an ideal frame for such a position. Maledon’s style of play is very similar to the likes of Tony Parker and Reggie Jackson, two point-guards who would have thrived in the Sixers offense in recent years. Hopefully, if the Sixers acquire Maledon he will have similar success.
Overall, Theo Maledon (though he may require a trade-up in the draft) offers a solution to many of the Sixers’ offensive struggles with his shooting ability and point guard experience as well as fits the ideal Doc Rivers offense as he is lengthy and thrives off the pick and roll.
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