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The Detroit Pistons have optionality with Thon Maker

By Stuart London

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 08: Thon Maker #7 of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 8, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 08: Thon Maker #7 of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball up court during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 8, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The case for not offering Thon Maker

Mar 11, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots over Detroit Pistons center Thon Maker (7), both natives of Africa. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2020; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shoots over Detroit Pistons center Thon Maker (7), both natives of Africa. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

The Detroit Pistons should keep in mind an old sports saying: ‘Playing potential is what gets coaches fired’. Maker has oodles of potential but, so far, it is unrealized.

What he is right now is a tall, thin backup center with a decent shot but few post moves. And he simply has not been that good.

Players at his current playing level do not get paid $4.8 million in the NBA.

If he does get the qualifying offer, at the moment only Blake Griffin, Tony Snell, Derrick Rose and Luke Kennard would make more money than Maker.

Having just gotten rid of some bloated contracts, Detroit does not need to get a new one.

Keith Langlois of Pistons.com thinks it is unlikely Maker will get the offer:

"The Pistons would need to extend a qualifying offer to Maker, entering his fifth season, of nearly $5 million to make him a restricted free agent. It’s unlikely they will make that offer."

Maker has shown flashes of why he was taken so high in the draft. He averaged 17 points in the five games after the Andre Drummond trade in February.

However, the Pistons do need a center, possibly a starting one if Christian Wood does not return, but they need one to be consistent for a whole season (assuming there will be one) not occasional flashes.

Of course, even with no offer, Maker could still be in a Pistons uniform next year.

As an unrestricted free agent, Maker could decide to re-up with the Pistons. He has said he likes the area and, at a lower salary, Detroit might be interested in bringing him back.

Coach Dwane Casey was hoping to match up Maker against recently signed center Justin Patton, another first-rounder who has not realized his potential, in the Bubble training camp. Unfortunately, Patton had to miss it due to injury.

If Maker had outplayed Patton, that could have made the decision clearer for the Pistons.

The overwhelming opinion among hoops pundits is that the Pistons will pass on Maker.

But there is a case to made for giving Maker the qualifying offer.

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