5:00pm: The Rockets have officially waived Maledon, per NBA.com’s transaction log.
3:53pm: The Rockets are releasing guard Theo Maledon, sources tell Kelly Iko of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Like Maurice Harkless, Maledon was acquired by Houston as part of the eight-player swap with the Thunder, and will now be waived as the team eats his $1.9MM salary for 2022/23, which is fully guaranteed.
Once the two transactions are complete, the Rockets will still have 16 players on guaranteed standard deals and Willie Cauley-Stein on a non-guaranteed contract, and they’ll need to reduce the standard roster down to 15 players before the regular season starts.
Maledon, 21, was the 34th overall pick of the 2020 draft. He appeared in 116 regular season games (56 starts, 23.3 MPG) with the Thunder over the past two seasons, averaging a combined 8.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG and 2.9 APG on .371/.322/.766 shooting.
Evidently neither the Thunder nor the Rockets were high enough on the French point guard to keep him around, despite his above-average size (6’4″) and youth. Since he only has two years of NBA experience, Maledon is eligible to sign a two-way deal if and when he clears waivers on Thursday, and that might be more likely than another guaranteed standard contract at this point considering a couple of rebuilding clubs decided not to retain him.
Surprising, especially since they aren’t exactly flush with potential true playmakers on the roster. Wonder where he ends up.
They literally are flush with playmakers, Scoot Porter, Jalen Green, TyTy Washington, Daishen Nix & EJ Gordon just to name a few
Agreed plus you got alphy who will surprise you with his amazing passes
This is a guy who will play for the Bulls soon
Theo Maledon can go to a number of teams and be a third Point Guard.
Name 2
Whats up with these French guards lols. Frank now Maledon. Both these guys are talented enough to be rotation guys. Maledon should be progressing to be a starting PG imo. Its like theres no fire to motivated them. Maledon can still play. Someone will pick him up
Would like to see him on Warriors roster rather than Ty Jerome lol. Dude have some potential and size, may shoot better than Ty, much younger, good future puzzle.
My first thought too.
Phoenix should sign him