Theo Maledon worked out for Phoenix Suns in offseason, now on team as two-way player
PORTLAND – Theo Maledon confirmed Frank Vogel saying he’s been on the Phoenix Suns' “radar” for more than a minute.
Maledon said he worked out for the Suns this past offseason.
“I want to say two months before training camp probably,” Maledon said.
Now Maledon is with the Suns as they claimed him off waivers on a two-way deal. He averaged 4.2 points in his 13 games with Charlotte this season.
“He’s a really interesting prospect,” Vogel said about Maledon before Sunday’s win over Washington. “He’s 22 years old and has a really good floor game from a point guard standpoint. He’s an improved shooter, got good size and he’s someone that has been on our front office’s radar for some time.”
The Suns have filled their three two-way slots with Saben Lee, Udoka Azubuike and Maledon, a 6-4, 175-pound guard who is in his fourth NBA season out of France.
Joining the Suns on Monday, Maledon talked with The Arizona Republic about this new opportunity.
He scored a career-high 33 points on April 2, 2021, against Phoenix as a rookie playing for Oklahoma City. Those Suns reached the 2021 finals before losing to Milwaukee in six games.
Joining a team with championship aspirations
“I’m really excited. It’s a blessing and an opportunity I’m really grateful for. Really looking forward to maximize this opportunity with this team that has big aspirations. Try to help the best I can to help fulfill those aspirations.”
On if he was surprised the Suns claimed him off waivers
“I had workouts before during the offseason and I thought they went pretty well. When they called and my agent told me, I was very excited and very happy.”
On being a point guard leading to opportunities in Phoenix
“For sure, but I just want to do my role on what coach expects from me or the team expects me to do. Whatever they need, I feel like that’s the biggest priority. It’s a new team, got a new coach, new players that came in. They’re still trying to figure out each other.”
On areas he’s grown since rookie year (2nd rounder 2020 draft)
“Understanding of the game. Figuring out how the league works. Being a professional and staying ready. On the defensive side, I feel like I’ve made huge strides since my rookie season.”
On the Suns' expectations of him
“They haven’t really had a chance to sit down and talk about that yet. Right now, I’ve been trying to get to know everybody, get to understand the organization. How everybody works. I’m ready whenever my name is called.”
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Two-way player Theo Maledon worked out for Phoenix Suns in offseason
