Detroit Pistons 2020 Draft profile: Kentucky’s Tyrese Maxey

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 04: Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats brings the ball up court during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Rupp Arena on January 4, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 04: Tyrese Maxey #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats brings the ball up court during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Rupp Arena on January 4, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 21: Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyrese Maxey (3) plays defense during the CBS Sports Classic between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Kentucky Wildcats on December 21, 2019, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 21: Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyrese Maxey (3) plays defense during the CBS Sports Classic between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Kentucky Wildcats on December 21, 2019, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Maxey’s weaknesses

Maxey has the potential to be a serious volume scorer as when his shot is falling, he’s an offensive force, but when it’s not his night, he disappears on the floor. His worst shooting games have come against weaker competition which is surprising as usually people cannot rise to the occasion, but Tyrese has the opposite problem of playing down to his competition.

Due to Maxey’s shoot first mentality, he doesn’t offer much outside of points on the box score. Having only three assists as a guard surrounded by shooters in his average 32.9 minutes is a big flaw.

This could be a possible weakness or strength depending on how you view Collin Sexton as Maxey’s stats, size, and playstyle are nearly the exact same. High point totals with low assist numbers all while being an off-ball guard with point guard size could let Maxey thrive in the league. The rising trend of two-point guard lineups is rising most notably in Cleveland and in Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is thriving as a Kentucky combo guard so why can’t Maxey?