Malevy Leons

[Bradley8792]

“Leons isn't expected to be drafted given his age, but that could allow the Knicks to sign him to an Exhibit 10 deal or even a two-way contract after the draft, and that would allow him to step into the organization.”

Forgive me for not knowing much about the NBA. What’s wrong with his age?

[Da Coach]

“Leons isn't expected to be drafted given his age, but that could allow the Knicks to sign him to an Exhibit 10 deal or even a two-way contract after the draft, and that would allow him to step into the organization.”

Forgive me for not knowing much about the NBA. What’s wrong with his age?

Nothing really wrong with his age, but NBA people usually expect the younger players to have a higher upside.

[ihatetea]

The issue with his age is that you can’t expect to add new skills to your skill set at this point. He can refine his shooting and become a better version of the versatile defender he already is, but he won’t add much on ball scoring ability or NBA level ball handling. Also, he’s already close to his peak playing ability which is typically around 28. A good career for him would be at least half of his career on the downslope of performance.

Having watched quite a bit of NBA and quite a bit of Malevy, there’s a chance a team drafts him in the second to insure they have first dibs on trying him out. It’s not hard to see him as a guy who stands in the corner making threes then is a switchable nuisance on d. But he’ll have to work on the speed of his release, his foot speed for guarding perimeter players, and his strength for interior guys.

I’ll guess he makes a summer league squad regardless of draft or no draft and gets invited to preseason camp. Then doesn’t make the team. If he wants to, he’ll be able to go to a G league squad and eventually get a 10 day contract or two. Depending how that goes he could have a decent NBA career. Or he could just go to Europe and be a very very good FIBA player.

If he were 20, some team late in the first would draft him hoping he’s the next Jaden McDaniels and banking he’s at least somewhere between Jae Crowder and Tony Snell.

No matter what, Malevy will have a respectable professional basketball career. He’s really good as we all know.

[LittleBrave]

The issue with his age is that you can’t expect to add new skills to your skill set at this point. He can refine his shooting and become a better version of the versatile defender he already is, but he won’t add much on ball scoring ability or NBA level ball handling. Also, he’s already close to his peak playing ability which is typically around 28. A good career for him would be at least half of his career on the downslope of performance.

Having watched quite a bit of NBA and quite a bit of Malevy, there’s a chance a team drafts him in the second to insure they have first dibs on trying him out. It’s not hard to see him as a guy who stands in the corner making threes then is a switchable nuisance on d. But he’ll have to work on the speed of his release, his foot speed for guarding perimeter players, and his strength for interior guys.

I’ll guess he makes a summer league squad regardless of draft or no draft and gets invited to preseason camp. Then doesn’t make the team. If he wants to, he’ll be able to go to a G league squad and eventually get a 10 day contract or two. Depending how that goes he could have a decent NBA career. Or he could just go to Europe and be a very very good FIBA player.

If he were 20, some team late in the first would draft him hoping he’s the next Jaden McDaniels and banking he’s at least somewhere between Jae Crowder and Tony Snell.

No matter what, Malevy will have a respectable professional basketball career. He’s really good as we all know.

Well said and sounds like you know a thing or 2!
Malevy is a throwback player. I don't think nba teams target players for their defense. If so, Mal would have a much better shot. He could have averaged around 15 ppg last season, but he is so unselfish and sometimes wasn't aggressive enough, tho in the post he was more aggressive last season and was crafty and efficient around the hoop, and has a sense for offensive boards.
If personality, quality of character and being a great teammate were valued more, he'd get tons of interest!
Not sure where I'm going with this, and really I didn't think he'd even get to this point to have a shot in the nba! Great for him!

[yoda]

agree 100%
Malevy will help any team he's playing for as we have seen since he was at juco.
But he's not the high flying, dunking, athletic superstar that all the NBA execs drool over hoping to land the next Anthony Edwards.
So it's pretty amazing he's even getting the attention he is currently getting from the 15-25 draft spot holders

[Peoria_bradley_fan]

Anthony Edwards was supposed to be Anthony Edwards. He's supposed to be in the top 5%. If you guys don't think the NBA values defense, you just have to actually watch the game and not go in it with preconceived notions that there "is no defense".

The NBA has incredible defense. The problem is there are about 20 guys who are "unstoppable" on offense. Split second releases from 23 feet. Ability to get to the rim from 25 feet out with one dribble.

Malevy isn't up against the Anthony Edwards of the world, and that's no where near all NBA execs are looking for. He's up against the PJ Washington type players. The "3 and D" type guys.

Think Ben Sheppard. His stock sky rocketed. He played substantial minutes in the ECF 1 year removed from playing Bradley at Carver. He's a 3 and D guy, with some driving ability. He was guarding Jason Tatum in the ECF. Not saying he did a great job but that was his assignment. An NBA strategy is having a very strong role playing defender guard the oppositions #1 option for 18 minutes or so. Throwing 100% at a guy who's going to log double the minutes.

The problem for Mal is that he has to become a legitimate threat from 3. If not he won't spread the floor on offense enough for his teams offensive super stars, so no matter how good his D, it just won't matter. He has to shoot much quicker and at a few % points higher.

He also has 0 driving ability, and pretty bad handles. Phenominal player outside of that.

I think he has as good of a shot as any Bradley player in recent memory, especially with the way today's NBA is. I think today's NBA is friendlier to a player like Malevy, as opposed to the NBA that Lemon and Roberts tried to get in at their respected time for their respective type of play.

The New York Knicks specifically need a Malevy type player, as they lack in defense and need more perimeter threats outside of a healthy Brunson/Divenchenzo and Randal. Brunson is an undersized defender and Randall is injury prone.

There's a real specific reason why the Knicks are on him. I'm going excited for him and hope it works out. But if you don't think NBA execs value defense, your very very off on that assessment. Without his D, he wouldn't be anywhere near an NBA team right now.

[ihatetea]

There's a real specific reason why the Knicks are on him. I'm going excited for him and hope it works out. But if you don't think NBA execs value defense, you’re very very off on that assessment. Without his D, he wouldn't be anywhere near an NBA team right now.

Fully agree with your assessment. I have been thinking it’s not a coincidence the Knicks are bringing him in. There’s a need factor and there’s also the part where Thibs values D more than many coaches. It’s unfair of Malevy to compare him to the Edwards of the worlds. He’s way more comparable to Jaden McDaniels, PJ Washington, or Ben Shepherd.

[LittleBrave]

Anthony Edwards was supposed to be Anthony Edwards. He's supposed to be in the top 5%. If you guys don't think the NBA values defense, you just have to actually watch the game and not go in it with preconceived notions that there "is no defense".

The NBA has incredible defense. The problem is there are about 20 guys who are "unstoppable" on offense. Split second releases from 23 feet. Ability to get to the rim from 25 feet out with one dribble.

Malevy isn't up against the Anthony Edwards of the world, and that's no where near all NBA execs are looking for. He's up against the PJ Washington type players. The "3 and D" type guys.

You're probably right. I only watch NBA really during the playoffs and the defense is usually VERY good, but watching highlights of reg. season, the effort is generally below what it is in college. Again, this is just highlights, but it gives me that impression. I would think there are a handful of teams who emphasize D, but overall I don't think it's emphasized as much as offense in the NBA.

Some of these playoff teams do have guys who play minutes off the bench who are not flashy, but play a role, and Mal could be that type of player. But you can't be a liability on offense, and I think Malevy either needs to be more assertive on offense, or become more consistent than in college (not that he was NOT consistent, but to in NBA, need to be EVERY night for a guy who likely won't start).

Just my 2 cents!

[Da Coach]

Malevy Leons had a workout last Wednesday with the NY Knicks, and today with the Orlando Magic. He has another one scheduled with the Utah Jazz tomorrow (Monday, June 3) and with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, June 6.

Here is a brief video of Malevy working out Saturday, and making 10 out of 10 corner 3-pointers - https://twitter.com/OneMotiveSports/...27130335514697

[Da Coach]

Malevy Leons had a workout last Wednesday with the NY Knicks, and today with the Orlando Magic. He has another one scheduled with the Utah Jazz tomorrow (Monday, June 3) and with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, June 6.
....a brief video of Malevy working out Saturday, and making 10 out of 10 corner 3-pointers - https://twitter.com/OneMotiveSports/...27130335514697

Malevy is in Salt Lake City today for a workout with the Utah Jazz... https://x.com/OneMotiveSports/status...03106672574694

[LittleBrave]

Malevy Leons had a workout last Wednesday with the NY Knicks, and today with the Orlando Magic. He has another one scheduled with the Utah Jazz tomorrow (Monday, June 3) and with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, June 6.

Here is a brief video of Malevy working out Saturday, and making 10 out of 10 corner 3-pointers - https://twitter.com/OneMotiveSports/...27130335514697

Guy hit the rim only 1x and barely! Go MAL!

[Da Coach]

It was reported last week that Malevy had a workout scheduled today with the Cleveland Cavaliers. But that schedule has changed. Malevy is actually in Memphis for a private workout with the Memphis Grizzlies today- https://x.com/BradleyUMBB/status/1798701380506615864

[yoda]

Hmmm
Utah and Memphis getting in the mix now,
Memphis has the #9 draft pick & Utah #10.
Utah doesn’t have another pick til 29, Memphis not til #39.
Of course, that could change with trades but is it possible that
Malevy is being considered by teams with lottery picks?
Maybe that shooting display turned some heads?

[Da Coach]

I would guess not. I can't see him going in the first round.

[egib52]

Hmmm
Utah and Memphis getting in the mix now,
Memphis has the #9 draft pick & Utah #10.
Utah doesn’t have another pick til 29, Memphis not til #39.
Of course, that could change with trades but is it possible that
Malevy is being considered by teams with lottery picks?
Maybe that shooting display turned some heads?

I am sure it is for 2nd round or undrafted FA possibilities.