OKC Thunder trade deadline: Milwaukee Bucks have few holes to fill
Thon Maker:
Salary:
2018-19 – $2,799,720
2019-20 – $3,569,643
At the heart of Maker’s request is the desire to play a larger role within a team system. It’s hard to ascertain if that can happen unless he lands with a team not expected to be competing in the postseason.
Once considered a player who would develop into a contributing member of the core, Maker’s absence from the lineup can be viewed in one of two ways. Either it’s due to his slower development or it could be as simple as the stellar play of Brook Lopez. The latter offers a floor spacing big who is connecting from the perimeter at a career high of 38.8 percent on 6.8 attempts. The irony, of course, is the hope was Maker could grow into precisely that type of player with defensive skills and rim protection.
With the trade which sent out John Henson, some presumed it would clear minutes for Maker but Lopez is so essential to the Bucks offense Maker simply isn’t getting the tap from coach Bud.
This too could be situational. Every coach has a system and how he wants players to function within it. Perhaps Coach Bud just isn’t that enamored with Maker or feels he doesn’t commit to the system.
Regardless, Maker is an economic asset still in his rookie contract, but the fact he’s requesting a move speaks to his personality and one which won’t just toe the line.