Thon Maker would be a perfect pick for Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are in the thick of the playoff race for the first time in years, but with draft season rapidly approaching, it’s time to take a peak at one of the most enticing players that could be available for the Pistons when it’s their turn to make a selection.
The Detroit Pistons are finally having a meaningful season which means Pistons fans haven’t had to console their woes all season long with incoming NBA prospects.
But as we creep closer to draft season it’s time to take a peek at who could be in play for the Pistons when it’s their turn to make a selection.
One of the most enticing prospects that could be on the board when it’s time for the Pistons to make their pick is 7’1” forward/center Thon Maker, who is projected to go 23rd in Chad Ford’s latest mock draft.
Maker is a five-star recruit that find himself in a unique situation. The NBA draft eligibility rules state that a player must be 19 years old and one year removed from high school. Maker turned 19 in February and is trying to convince the NBA that his final season at Orangeville Prep (Canada) was a post-graduate year.
He considered reclassifying to the class of 2015, but opted to attend one final season of high school to play with his brother.
The NBA is currently reviewing his unique case. Should he be eligible, Maker is the type of player that Stan Van Gundy has been coveting.
In terms of pro comparisons, Maker is of the Myles Turner and Donatas Motiejunas mold, exhibiting traits of both players. He’s got decent speed and quickness, but he’s not as quick as a Kristaps Porzingis nor the shooter that he is either.
That said, he’s also more raw than any of the aforementioned players and played against significantly weaker competition, which is why he’s being discussed as a player that could go in the 15-25 range. It could take him two or three years to reach his potential which may turn a team off like the Pistons who are trying to make strides towards a title team now.
Why he fits
Flashback to the NBA’s trade deadline earlier this season. Stan Van Gundy made a trade for Donatas Motiejunas, a skilled seven footer with an excellent shooting touch from the perimeter, good passing skills, and the ability to protect the rim.
Motiejunas would have given Van Gundy more flexibility in his rotation to play against bigger lineups as a power forward next to Andre Drummond. He also would have given the Pistons the ability to put a lineup on the court that had five shooters on the court–something Van Gundy coveted.
While that trade was ultimately voided due to concerns over Motiejunas’ back, Van Gundy can still get what he was looking for should Maker be eligible to enter the 2016 NBA draft, and be available when it comes time for the Pistons to pick.
Maker offers similar size to Motiejunas–he’s 7’1”, 218 lbs compared to 7’0” 223. He may not be as polished as Motiejunas on the offensive end yet, but he’s also only 19 years old and probably further along than Motjiejunas at the same age. He also offers more rim protection with greater length and leaping ability.
What I really like about Maker, other than his ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim, is his feel for the game. He’s a very willing passer and tends to make the right play. He also can handle the ball a bit.
His offensive repertoire and ability to protect the rim should allow him to find his way into the Pistons’ rotation over Anthony Tolliver–should the Pistons’ re-sign him–immediately.
Maker definitely has room to add more weight, and he won’t set the NBA on fire his first season, but he would give the Pistons the ability to match up with any team in the NBA. He also could grow into one of the top three or four players in the draft presenting the Pistons with great value.
If Maker isn’t eligible to enter the NBA draft this season, the Pistons probably lose their shot at drafting him, unless of course, they end up with a top five pick next season.
Even then, I expect Maker to shoot up draft boards–even if all he has is high school game tape–as we get closer to the draft. That said, he I’d wager that he won’t fall past the Pistons if he does make it that far.