Thunder sign rookie Theo Maledon to a rookie contract
The Oklahoma City Thunder announced they signed two rookies selected in the 2020 draft to contracts on Wednesday.
Theo Maledon, whose draft rights were traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Thunder, signed his deal. Like the announcement of Aleksej Pokusevski, terms were not released.
Maledon has international experience playing for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne in France’s top professional league.
Last season, he appeared in 46 games and averaged 7.3 points, 2.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds over 17.3 minutes, according to the Thunder. He was given the Rising Star Award in the 2018-19 season.
The Thunder’s trade for Maledon was reported on draft night but not finalized until Tuesday. In that deal, Oklahoma City acquired Maledon with the No. 34 pick, Al Horford, the draft rights to 2014 No. 52 pick Vasilije Micic and a 2025 first-round pick. In exchange, the Sixers got Danny Green, Terrance Ferguson and Vincent Poirier.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said that despite Maledon’s age, he sees experience and maturity.
“You can tell he’s a guy that’s been around pros and been around the pro game,” Daigneault said. “He’s a mature person for his age and has a mature way of seeing the game.”
Maledon can compete for a backup guard spot against Ty Jerome and Frank Jackson. Depending on how the starting lineup shakes up, George Hill may be another guard off the bench, too.
