23. THEO MALEDON / GUARD / ASVEL
One of the more promising floor generals on the board, Theo Maledon has been hailed by some as the next great French point guard. He’s a smart and methodical playmaker who, at 6-foot-5, is comfortable navigating the pick-and-roll. His handles are advanced, he makes quick reads on the move, and he has the distinguished honor of training under the Tony Parker.
The issue for Maledon is similar to Nico Mannion — he’s not a great athlete. While he has the advantage of size and a 6-foot-8 wingspan, Maledon still struggles to beat quality defenders off the dribble. His lack of a strong first step is a concern and could limit his upside in a lead ball-handling role.
Maledon luckily makes up for his shortcomings as a shooter. He should have no trouble in a secondary role, as he’s adept running around screens and operating as a floor spacer. He’s also a solid defender who could eventually defend up a position or two as his frame fills out.