Malcolm Delaney

Malcolm Delaney
PG - 6’3, 190lbs - 29 years old - 2 years of experience

Delaney’s first NBA season was a bit of a write-off, and it is probably fair to say that only the combination of his guaranteed contract and the Hawks’ overall lack of immediacy saw him get a second one. However, there were enough small incremental improvements in his efficiencies and production that turned him from a net negative into a capable third stringer.

Most obvious of these improvements was the jump shot. Taking exactly the same number of shots per game as he did as a rookie, Delaney scored 0.9 more points per game (and raised his true shooting percentage from .456 to .519) by virtue of an improved outside stroke. Never a high volume high efficiency three-point shooter thus far in his career, both professional and college, Delaney upped that part of his game from 23.6% to 37.1%. With that, the slasher-by-trade-who-struggles-to-get-to-the-rim-in-the-NBA became a shooter. And of threes, rather than mid-range twos.

Delaney’s best moments came when he was removed of his point guard responsibilities and played as an off-guard alongside Taylor. This allowed him to focus on scoring, yet he is not a quality defender of the shooting guard position. Nor of the point guard position, really – in two years, Delaney has not shown himself to be very effective defensively. Nonetheless, if he can keep up the shooting, get his ankle right and be a solid-enough ballhandling, first-passing and transition-running presence at the lead guard spot, he should get another gig somewhere.

Especially considering his age, Delaney has not really done anything to merit anything more than a minimum salary contract. But with this year’s play, he has at least merited that.

Player Plan: Entering potentially restricted free agency. Qualifying offer would be $3.125 million guaranteed. Not the worst thing ever if he took it, especially considering the lack of financial urgency elsewhere, but considering age, upside, health and limited impact, the minimum would be better.

Malcolm Delaney
PG, 6’3, 190lbs, 28 years old, 1 year of experience

Mixed bag of a rookie season. Experienced, but not NBA experienced, Delaney often looked overwhelmed offensively, struggling to make any shots (especially at the basket), not being able to get to the basket or find the roll man in pick-and-roll action, and eventually becoming a pull-up two point jump shot specialist (which to be fair he was good at). On the plus side, he was the team’s best point guard defender, applying good ball pressure and reading the game well. If he can add three-point range to those twos then he can become a solid back-up point guard - it is not for nothing that Calderon was brought in to replace him for the playoffs, but nor is his Euroleague career to date for nothing. Needs a sophomore breakout.

Player Plan: One year and $2.5 million remaining, then restricted free agency. Keep for now in a bid to accumulate value and/or realise potential.

Malcolm Delaney - Delaney's senior season was slightly anti-climactic. Through no fault of his own, a Virginia Tech team decimated by injuries did not make the tournament, and so Delaney's 18.7 points and 4.0 assists per game were somewhat in vain. Perturbingly, both of those numbers were actually down on the previous season, but one thing that did improve was Delaney's efficiency. Delaney has always had a knack for getting to the foul line, but he improved his outside jumpshot over the years, and so even though he can't finish at the rim and lacks a mid-range game, he has become as efficient as a 42% shooter can be, being as it is all threes and ones. Delaney is quick, occasionally disruptive defensively, and he's always into the game. But he's a point guard in size only - like several outlined already, he's a scorer in a point guard's body.