OKC Thunder draft prospect profile: Tyrese Maxey
Projected to be a lottery pick Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey is talented but not a player the OKC Thunder should target.
Like many of the guards in the 2020 class, Tyrese Maxey projects to offer immediate contributions to whoever drafts him. For the moment, he’s out of the OKC Thunder range who don’t select until 25th in the first round.
However, Sam Presti could be adding picks into the equation based on the expectation Dennis Schroder and Chris Paul could exit via trades leading up to Wednesday’s draft.
Yet, even in that scenario and despite his talent Maxey might be one of those top lottery picks the Thunder GM should avoid. Here’s why…
Tyrese Maxey draft prospect preview:
Specifics:
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 198 pounds
- Wingspan: 6’6”
- Position: Guard
- Birthdate/Age: November 4, 2000, 20.0 years
- College: Kentucky, freshman
- Stat line: 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3,2 assists
- Home Town: Dallas, Texas
| Season | G | MP | FGA | FG% | 2PA | 2P% | 3PA | 3P% | FTA | FT% ▼ | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 31 | 34.5 | 11.3 | .427 | 7.7 | .492 | 3.6 | .292 | 3.9 | .833 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 14.0 |
| Career | 31 | 34.5 | 11.3 | .427 | 7.7 | .492 | 3.6 | .292 | 3.9 | .833 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 14.0 |
Provided by CBB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 11/15/2020.
Current Ranking:
Mock drafts and big boards predominantly predict Maxey will be selected in the lottery portion of the draft or just after.
- The Ringer: 13th
- NBA DraftNet: 19th
- ESPN: 14th
- CBS Sports: 15th
- NBA: 18th
- Sports Illustrated: 15th
- Bleacher Report: 8th
Strengths:
- Shotmaking
- Shot fundamentals are strong
- Doesn’t shrink in the clutch
- Vast offense arsenal of skills (shooting and in the paint)
- Demonstrates defensive prowess particularly as an on-ball defender and with his instincts
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Weaknesses:
- Must invest time in running the pick and roll
- Needs to develop speed variation and improve his initial burst
- Has the propensity to be a streaky shooter.
Pro Comparison:
Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer serves up the trio of Kyle Lowry, Bradley Beal, Carsen Edwards as possible NBA comparisons. For anyone who was questioning why Maxey is ranking so high on some boards the fact O’Connor aligned him with Lowry and Beal should be a compelling enough reason.
The issue I have with this assessment is it’s implying Maxey will play the point when he naturally fits the role of a shooting guard.
OKC Thunder fit:
Although Maxey will likely have a long career and be a reliable contributor I don’t like his fit with the OKC Thunder. That might seem odd given the club is about to embark on a full on roster shakeup. But, consider the fact two of the three untouchables are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort.
Although the Thunder will likely witness Dennis Schroder and Chris Paul exit this week via trades Sam Presti should be looking for the best fit in relation to SGA and Dort.
Maxey likes to have the ball in his hand and can score but he’s not a stellar playmaker nor does he have the size to adequately defend the opponent two-guard. So, adding Maxey would take the ball out of Shai’s hands, force him to play off-ball with a player who isn’t a top-notch playmaker, and also likely have to take on the harder guard defensive assignment.
If Sam Presti gets a shot to add a guard in this range the guards who offer a better fit are Killian Hayes or Tyrese Haliburton. Even Tyrell Terry would be a more organic fit than Maxey.
Next. Draft prospect profile: Tyrell Terry. dark