New Orleans Pelicans: 3 Detroit Pistons to target in free agency, trades

New Orleans Pelicans: Possible free agents from the Detroit Pistons

Thon Maker

I think my wife summed up Thon Maker’s career well one night when we were watching the Pistons (yes, I have the greatest wife in history) and she said, “That guy looks like he should be a lot better than he is.”

I couldn’t have said it better. Thon Maker is one of those guys with tantalizing potential that he has yet to realize. He hasn’t been good in his young career, but he is still only 23-years-old, will be cheap and has the skillset the Pelicans need.

Maker is still learning the game, is often out of position and sometimes takes bad shots, but he does something that always stands out to me, which is plays his butt off.

Maker is the epitome of “ineffective energy” at the moment, as he flies and flails all over the court, but just doesn’t get results. But he is a 7-footer who can block shots, stretch the floor and bring energy off the bench.

Maker shot 34.4 percent from 3-point range this season and has the potential to be a legit stretch-five.

I think Maker has the most potential on the defensive end, especially if he focuses his efforts there. With the right coach, Maker could be a guy who defends several positions and evolves into a devastating shot blocker from the weak side.

Maker is never going to play in the post, but he could be an effective weapon off the bench and is a guy whose potential is worth taking a risk.

There is also a low-cost Detroit Piston who might be available in a trade.