Detroit Pistons 2020 NBA Draft Profile: Theo Maledon

How does Maledon fit with Detroit?

If the Pistons are selecting inside of the top ten in this upcoming draft, they’ll have multiple options to choose from at the point guard position. This class is overflowing with them, and Maledon is one of the many plausible choices.

While he may not be their first choice, as there are more concerns over his weaknesses than anything else, he’s a formidable one.

If selected by Detroit, Maledon could potentially thrive in Dwane Casey’s system. As I mentioned in his his list of strengths, his ability to navigate pick and rolls and operate in a 4-out 1-in setting is ideal.

Andre Drummond was the Pistons best option for pick and rolls, but with him being traded to Cleveland, the responsibility will likely fall to Christian Wood and whoever else Detroit acquires (whether it’s through the draft of free agency).

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This is beneficial because it could open up a new wrinkle in the offense. Wood is capable of playing along the perimeter, so the possibility of pick and pops with Wood sinking back to the three-point line may give Detroit a boost in offensive production.

Now you may be thinking that most if not all of the point guards that the Pistons may select could seamlessly run this offense. To an extent, you’re right.

But it goes back to playing off Maledon’s strengths. His ability to fake out defenders and make a pass that no one saw was available is what makes him so exciting. His unselfishness could bring something new to an organization that desperately needs a spark.

He has the potential to elevate the performance of his teammates, and with it seeming like Detroit is buying into a rebuild, a lot of their players are still being developed. Placing an efficiently unselfish guard next to them is going to help everybody grow.

Players like Svi Mykhailiuk, Luke Kennard, and Sekou Doumbouya will continue to shape their games and reach their full potential playing next to a guard like Maledon. His facilitating capabilities are some of the best in the entire class.

Whether it’s Detroit or not, Maledon can be considered a project for whoever selects him. But more so in the fact that he just needs to refine the skill set he already has.