The Suns will waive Maledon on Monday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Phoenix claimed Maledon off waivers from the Hornets in mid-December, but he's made just four appearances since then, totaling 13 minutes. In a corresponding move, Phoenix signed Ish Wainright to a two-way deal.
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Suns' Theo Maledon: Lands with Phoenix
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The Suns claimed Maledon off waivers from the Hornets on Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Maledon had been on a two-way deal with Charlotte, but he was waived Thursday with the Hornets opting to bring in center Nathan Mensah on a two-way contract for frontcourt depth. The Suns will hand their third and final two-way spot to Maledon, but it's unclear if he'll be able to crack Phoenix's backcourt rotation even with Bradley Beal (ankle) out for the next few weeks. More likely, Maledon profiles as a backup option at point guard ifJordan Goodwin were to miss time. Maledon averaged 4.2 points and 2.2 assists in 15.4 minutes per game across 13 appearances for the Hornets this season.
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Theo Maledon: Let go by Charlotte
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Maledon was waived by the Hornets on Thursday.
Maledon played double-digit minutes in his first 10 appearances of the season but fell out of Charlotte's rotation in recent weeks. He'll be free to seek out other opportunities if he clears waivers.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Back to bench
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Maledon won't start Friday's game against the Bucks, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Maledon drew a spot start Tuesday against Miami with Brandon Miller (ankle) and Gordon Hayward (hamstring) unavailable. However, Hayward and Miller have both been cleared to return Friday and will reclaim starting roles, sending Maledon back to a bench role. Miles Bridges (suspension) is also available for the first time this season, so Maledon's path to playing time is clouded.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Gets starting nod
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Maledon will start at shooting guard in Tuesday's game versus the Heat.
Maledon will make his first start of the season Tuesday due to many of Charlotte's backcourt players being out with injuries. The 22-year-old has appeared in all nine of the Hornets' games to date, averaging 5.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.3 minutes per contest.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Hauls in six rebounds
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Maledon produced five points (2-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and one steal in 21 minutes during Wednesday's 128-119 loss to Houston.
Maledon has had consistent playing time off the bench early in the 2023-24 campaign and has now played 20-plus minutes in back-to-back matchups. While he's had some success on defense with seven steals over the past three games, he hasn't displayed much fantasy upside overall, averaging 6.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in 18.0 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Good to go Wednesday
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Maledon (shoulder) isn't on the injury report for Wednesday's season opener against the Hawks.
Maledon is available for the Hornets' season opener after missing the entire preseason with a shoulder injury. The 22-year-old guard will split time between the NBA and G League this season as a two-way player.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Won't play Thursday
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Maledon (shoulder) has been ruled out for Thursday's preseason game against the Celtics.
Maledon continues to deal with a shoulder injury and will be unavailable for the Hornets' final preseason matchup. However, he participated in an intra-squad scrimmage Wednesday, so it appears as though he's closing in on a return. It's possible he reports to the G League once he's back to full health.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Participates in scrimmage
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Maledon (shoulder) participated in Wednesday's intra-squad scrimmage, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Maledon has yet to appear in the preseason due to a lingering shoulder injury, but it looks like he's inching closer to a return. The fourth-year guard is under a two-way contract this year, so he'll presumably spend most of the 2023-24 campaign in the G League.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Remains out
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Maledon (shoulder) is out Sunday versus the Thunder.
Maledon has yet to appear in preseason with Charlotte due to a lingering shoulder injury. He's a candidate to suit up Thursday against Boston if healthy.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Won't travel for road trip
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Maledon won't travel with the Hornets during their upcoming two-game road trip due to a right shoulder injury.
Maledon rejoined the Hornets on a two-way deal in late September but will be unavailable for the team's first two preseason games. The severity of the issue isn't yet clear, but his next opportunity to suit up during the preseason will be Sunday against the Thunder.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Returning to Charlotte
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Maledon agreed to a two-way contract with the Hornets on Friday, Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer reports.
Maledon signed a two-way contract with the Hornets last October after being waived by the Rockets. He went on to appear in 44 NBA games, averaging 6.7 points, 3.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds. He excelled down the stretch, posting 14.8 points, 9.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks across the final six regular-season games (all starts). Those numbers came with numerous regulars sidelined, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect that type of production to start 2023-24. Maledon will open the season as a reserve behind LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier and is eligible to play in only 50 NBA games on his current deal.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Finishes season strong
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Maledon totaled 18 points (7-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, six assists and one steal in 42 minutes during Sunday's 106-95 win over the Cavaliers.
Maledon filled up the box score, as he tied for the team high in assists and posted the second-most rebounds Sunday. Maledon was a top-100 fantasy player in nine-category leagues over the last two weeks of the season. He started the final six games of the year and averaged 14.8 points, 9.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds. Maledon did drop below 30 percent from three for the season, limiting his value. However, if Maledon can find consistent minutes, he has shown he can produce in multiple categories.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Two-way spectacular Friday
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Maledon chipped in 22 points (8-15 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-3 FT), one rebound, eight assists, one block and five steals in 38 minutes during Friday's 112-109 loss to the Rockets.
Maledon had his best game of the season in the loss, tallying a career-high five steals to go with a season-high 22 points. This performance was the epitome of what managers should expect during the silly season. Having now recorded a total of 33 assists over the past three games, Maledon makes for a worthwhile acquisition for the final game of the season Sunday, even for those in standard formats.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Nears triple-double in loss
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Maledon closed with eight points (4-16 FG, 0-6 3Pt), eight rebounds, 14 assists and one block in 41 minutes during Sunday's 128-108 loss to the Raptors.
Maledon led all Hornets players in assists while finishing two points and two rebounds short of a triple-double. Maledon tallied double-digit assists for the first time this season, and he's now recorded nine or more assists in three straight games.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Dishes nine assists in start
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Maledon chipped in nine points (4-13 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-3 FT), four rebounds, nine assists and one steal across 33 minutes during Friday's 121-91 loss to the Bulls.
Maledon got the start for the third straight game while Charlotte continues to deal with injuries, and he added nine assists for the second consecutive contest. His scoring is still highly inefficient, though. In his three starts, the young backup is only hitting at a 37.1 percent clip, going 2-for-13 from deep. He's been a decent stream option for assists, but that's about it.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Near double-double in win
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Maledon posted 19 points (7-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine assists, four rebounds and four blocks across 38 minutes during Tuesday's 137-134 victory over Oklahoma City.
With most of Charlotte's regulars sidelined, Maledon drew his second start of the campaign and made the most of his opportunity by recording season highs in made field goals, points, assists, blocks and minutes played. The Hornets' skeleton crew was able to squeak out a win over the Thunder, who were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), and may have earned increased chances moving forward. However, despite his strong showing Tuesday, Maledon's fantasy value will take a significant hit when Gordon Hayward (thumb), Kelly Oubre (shoulder), Terry Rozier (foot) and/or Dennis Smith (toe) are active down the stretch.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Late addition to starting lineup
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Maledon is starting at point guard against the Thunder on Tuesday.
Dennis Smith Jr. is a late scratch for the Hornets due to a toe issue. With the Hornets already missing most of their key players, Maledon could be looking at a hefty workload against his former team.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Transferred to NBA club
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The Hornets transferred Maledon to the NBA club from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Friday, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Maledon and James Bouknight were both elevated and will be available for Friday's game in Dallas. Both guards could see extended action with Charlotte if Kelly Oubre (shoulder), Terry Rozier (foot) and Dennis Smith (illness) are ruled out.
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Hornets' Theo Maledon: Flirts with double-double in defeat
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Maledon tallied 17 points (6-13 FG, 3-5 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, six assists and two blocks over 36 minutes during Tuesday's 129-116 loss to Capital City.
Maledon led the team in rebounds along with a team-high-tying assist total while finishing as one of five Swarm players in double figures in scoring in a near-double-double outing. Maledon has averaged 16.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.0 steals over 23 regular-season games.
