OKC Thunder: Could Theo Maledon continue starting once Hill returns?

With an average age of 25.4, the OKC Thunder rank in as one of the youngest rosters in the entire association.

Not only is their face of the franchise, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, just 22-years-old, but they also have the youngest player in the league in Aleksej Pokuševski (19 years 36 days).

Right alongside their lanky Serbian-born baller in the youth department is fellow rookie, Theo Maledon, who ranks in as the sixth-youngest player in the NBA.

Unlike Poku, however, Maledon has found consistent success during the early stages of the 2020-21 campaign (no dis to the big man, but it’s just a fact) as the point guard is boasting averages of 7.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and just over a half a steal per game on 41 percent shooting from the floor and 38 percent shooting from deep.

As a second-round pick, these numbers have been quite impressive to watch for OKC fans and, when looking at his latest string of games whilst serving in the team’s starting lineup, it has really ramped up the “steal of the draft” talk.

Though a reletively small sample size of three games, the French native is putting up averages of 13.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and three assists on a whopping 61 percent shooting from the floor and 65 percent shooting from deep in a starting gig.

Of course, this role change only initially happened out of necessity, as regular starter, George Hill, has been sidelined during this period of time due to a thumb injury.

OKC Thunder rookie Theo Maledon has played beautifully in a starting role

Now, with his return date right on the horizon, one may expect Maledon to be thrust back into the second unit to once again serve as a spark plug of the bench — but should he?

Again, we understand that it’s a small sample size, but the team has concocted a record of 2-1 during this span, with their wins coming against likely postseason participants in the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns, and, during their one loss against the star-studded Brooklyn Nets, Maledon dropped 24 points on a perfect 6-6 from deep and shot 89 percent overall from the field.

Hill, too, has been a fine contributor in his starting role all season (11.8 points, 3.1 assists on 51 percent shooting from the field), but he has been seen as a trade asset seemingly since the moment he was acquired by the OKC Thunder this offseason, as they have their sights set on the future with a focus on developing their youth.

Strong play always deserved to be rewarded and, of late, Theo Maledon has been red-hot.

Though in all likelihood Hill will reclaim his starting gig upon his return, Theo Maledon has made a case for himself to continue being rolled out in the first-five lineup upon the veteran’s return.

This type of situation Oklahoma City’s coaching staff finds themselves in is what many would classify as a “good problem” to have.