

Given he spent the entire 2022-23 campaign on a two-way contract, Maledon was an inexpensive commodity for the Hornets.

Plucked off the waiver wire during training camp in October, he played well, particularly down the stretch when he averaged a double-double (14.2 points and 10.2 assists) over a five-game stretch to end the season. Look for both sides to be eager to get something done to retain the services of the 25-year-old. Like Oubre, he’s also repeatedly said his preference is to play for the Hornets again next season. According to Cleaning the Glass, Charlotte limited opponents to 10.7 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was on the court, which represents the second-best improvement in the league for players who logged a minimum of 1,000 minutes. He quickly morphed into the Hornets’ best defender. Who could have predicted his career renaissance? He didn’t even officially join the team until training camp, after initially turning heads while working out with the players in September.

during interviews wrapping up the end of the Hornets’ season at Spectrum Center on Monday, April 10, 2023. His situation will depend on the market, and whether he receives an offer the Hornets deem too much. He’s said multiple times that he wants to return and remain in Charlotte, and the Hornets like his presence and abilities. Whether it was off the bench or in a starting role, he provided instant offense. He recorded career bests in points (20.3) and steals (1.4) per game in 2022-23 and had that impressive streak to begin the season, scoring in double figures in his first 34 appearances - his longest streak as a pro. The mercurial swingman pocketed roughly $12 million in each of his two seasons with the Hornets and got better each year.
Charlotte hornets roster 2019 free#
Looking back on it, his 2021 free agency signing was a steal, and he proved to be a really good fit.

Unless he gets an offer sheet during free agency that the Hornets are unwilling to match, expect to see the versatile big man shifting between power forward and center positions again with the Hornets next season. He’s said he wants to stay with the Hornets and they really like him and consider the 24-year-old a part of their young core. His clutch field goal percentage of 52.4 placed him behind only Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Washington’s Bradley Beal and Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox for those who’ve registered at least 50 clutch attempts. Averaging a career-high 15.7 points per game and finishing ranked 19th in the NBA with 33 made field goals in the clutch - that’s when the score is within five points with five minutes remaining of the fourth quarter - have him on an upward trajectory. Well, not only was he extremely effective, he was the most durable player on the team. When the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement in October on a rookie extension, he was forced to bet on himself. The question marksĬontract status for 2023-24: Restricted free agent With their offseason underway, here’s a look at the Hornets’ top rotational players, where we examine their overall positional fit and whether they could be a part of any potential roster reconstruction that has them in a jersey other than purple and teal next season.
