Theo Maledon

Expectations for Maledon were low given his status as an early second-round draft pick last season. However, he was able to put together a decent campaign given where he was selected and his age (19 years and 197 days old when making his NBA debut). Unsurprisingly, he started off slow, but he had a breakout performance Jan. 29, posting 24 points on 8-for-9 shooting from the field, 6-for-6 from three and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line, three assists, three rebounds and one steal in 34 minutes. That game seemed to give him more confidence, and his general level of play increased from there on out. From that game on, he averaged 11.5 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 29.8 minutes while starting in all but one appearance. His efficiency certainly leaves something to be desired at just 37/34/77 shooting, but Maledon was often asked to do a lot for a team that had few other offensive options. Despite the missed shots, Maledon was still able to rank 177th in total production due to his good health. Heading into 2021-22, his role may be reduced as both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort are expected to start the season healthy and start in the backcourt. Plus, rookie Josh Giddey will presumably be given plenty of touches for developmental purposes. Fantasy managers holding onto Maledon in dynasty shouldn't panic if he doesn't produce better box score stats this season. The main thing to look for will be efficiency improvement.

A second-round pick in the 2020 draft, Maledon enters the NBA as a 19-year-old point guard with great size (6-5, 198) for the position. This may be more of a developmental year for the Frenchman, but Maledon lands in a great fantasy situation in Oklahoma City. With the Thunder embracing a rebuild, Maledon will likely see more opportunity as a rookie than he would have with almost any other franchise. He projects to open the season as the third, or possibly fourth, point guard, but as the season wears on, the Thunder's coaching staff may look to a more youth-focused rotation. Maledon should not be drafted in the vast majority of leagues, but he's worth a flier in dynasty formats.