Detroit Pistons: Best and worst-case scenario for each player in 2019-20

Prove it year

Thon Maker

Thon Maker represents the type of player the Pistons should be going for as a mid-market team, that is not a free agent destination. Players like him are generally a home run or a strikeout. So far Maker has largely been the latter but has shown enough to arouse some hope.

The best-case scenario is that Maker added some strength to his wiry frame so that he can play back up center without being rag dolled. In the best-case scenario he improves his three-point shooting into the 35-38 percent range and becomes a legit stretch five off the bench.

The worst-case scenario is that he continues to look lost on defense, shoots 30 percent from three again and can’t establish himself as a rotation player, losing his minutes to Christian Wood or Markieff Morris. If Maker improves he could be an X-factor for Detroit, but if he doesn’t he’ll likely be playing bass for a band call the “What-ifs?”