CHICAGO, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The worst team in the NBA made what could called another experimental signing Friday when they came to terms with guard Matt Maloney. Terms of the deal were not made public.
The 28-year-old previously spent three seasons in Houston. He became expendable there when the Rockets acquired rookie Steve Francis from the Vancouver Grizzlies. He was released Nov. 1 with six years left on a seven-year deal he signed Jan. 23, 1999.
The former University of Pennsylvania star went from an undrafted backup to an All-Rookie second team selection in 1997, but his playing time dropped significantly during the lockout-shortened 1999 campaign.
He averaged just 1.4 points and 1.4 assists in 15 games last season and, this year, he played only 18 scoreless minutes in three preseason contests.
Maloney signed with the Rockets before the 1996-97 season as a backup to point guard Brent Price. When Price went down with a broken elbow in the preseason, Maloney became a starter. He became the only Houston player to start every game, averaging 9.4 points and 3.7 assists in helping the Rockets reach the Western Conference finals.
Maloney averaged 8.6 points and 2.8 assists in 78 games in 1997-98 while connecting on 36 percent of his 3-point attempts (126-for-346).
He started and scored five points for the Western Conference in the 1997 Rookie Game and was named to the All-Rookie second team after setting team rookie records with 154 3-pointers made and 381 attempted.
The 6-3 Maloney was the 1994-95 Ivy League Player of the Year. Before joining the Rockets, he had a one-year stint with the Grand Rapids Mackers of the Continental Basketball Association.
