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Detroit Pistons 2019-20 preview: Thon Maker’s profile

By Onaje Jones

Detroit Pistons Thon Maker. (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Detroit Pistons Thon Maker. (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – APRIL 20: Thon Maker #7 of the Detroit Pistons shoots a free throw against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – APRIL 20: Thon Maker #7 of the Detroit Pistons shoots a free throw against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2019 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Going into his first full season with the Detroit Pistons, here we highlight what we can expect from Detroit’s big man Thon Maker this 2019-20 season.

Thon Maker may still be a project in most peoples eyes, entering his fourth season in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons. The former 10th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft still has a lot to prove, and he is up for the challenge and ready to make a name for himself in Detroit.

Maker, who reclassified in high school in 2015 to skip college drew a lot of questions, but his skills were undeniable, going viral day after day with highlight-reel blocks and a guard-like handle that saw him constantly making defenders look foolish, which is rare at his size. There was no question he should’ve been a lottery pick.

Later being drafted by the Bucks, Maker had a rough start to his young career, starting 34-of-57 games his rookie year, while averaging a measly 10 minutes per game, with minimal production, a lot of people saw that the mysterious big man out of Sudan was headed down the road to being a bust.

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The former Bucks big man was traded to the Detroit Pistons on Feb. 7th, 2019 for Stanley Johnson, and Maker was sure to show that he belonged immediately.

Maker’s preview profile is the 13th of Piston Powered’s Detroit Pistons 2019-20 preview series, taking a look at each player entering training camp.

This trade was the resurgence Maker needed, and coach Dwane Casey and the front office of the Detroit Pistons knew it, and gave the young big man plenty of opportunity to showcase his game. Backing up Detroit’s star big man, Andre Drummond, Maker saw a career high in minutes and scoring.

Entering his contract year, we can expect Thon to lay it all on the line for the Pistons this year, and only at 22 years old we can expect a lot of improvement from him in the future.

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