Hornets Sign Free Agent Guard, Waive Two Others

With LaMelo Ball out to start the season with an ankle sprain, the Charlotte Hornets were in need of another body at the point, and today they moved quickly to secure one that just recently joined the free agent market.

The Charlotte Hornets are signing former Thunder guard Theo Maledon on a two-way NBA contract, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 14, 2022

The Hornets will sign former Oklahoma City Thunder guard Theo Maledon two a  two-way NBA contract. He was waived by the Houston Rockets shortly after that curious 8-player deal with OKC. 

Terry Rozier and Dennis Smith Jr. are the other two point guards on the roster. 

The 6'4" Maledon is just 21, despite already having played two full seasons in OKC. As a 19-year-old rookie, he averaged 10.1 points and 3.5 assists, but dropped off last season, losing his full rotation spot, and scoring just 7 points per game. He also struggled to shoot very efficiently, with a 37% FG through his two years with the Thunder, and just 32.2% from long range. 

With a two-way contract, Maledon would only be eligible to play up to 50 games with the Hornets, while spending the rest of his time in the G League. That's likely where he could end up once Ball is back in the lineup. 

He actually fared quite well in the G League last season, with 23.3 points per game and 5.3 assists in six regular season contests, and 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists in another 8 games in the Showcase Cup. 

The Hornets are also waiving camp invitees Jaylen Sims and Anthony Duruji, bringing the camp roster to 18. 

Photo: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports