The Phoenix Suns should inquire on Thon Maker

The Phoenix Suns should contact the Milwaukee Bucks about a potential trade for Thon Maker.

One of the lowest risk ways of finding talent on a team in desperate need of some, is to take  a flier on a young player with potential that hasn’t been able to quite reach it with his current team. The Phoenix Suns, no doubt, could use some more talent on their roster. Thon Maker has talent and just needs to be in the right place. The Phoenix Suns could very well be that place, and it wouldn’t take too much to acquire him right now.

Phoenix Suns

His playing time has gone down under new coach Mike Budenholzer as the Bucks are thriving and currently hold the league’s best record. According to ESPN, his agent has discussed trade scenarios with Milwaukee’s general manager. Thon wants to go to a situation where he would have a legitimate chance at a larger role. After totaling 13 minutes over the last 8 games and not playing at all in the last five matches, that may be almost any where else.

The Suns have lost ten straight games and are having a horrible season. Any kind of move would bring some life onto the roster and give fans something to talk about. While adding a player like Maker wouldn’t immediately upgrade the team or lead to instant wins, his potential is still through the roof.

Bringing in the 21-year-old would only make this team younger but he’d bring winning experience and a quality prospect. If the team could unleash his skills, he could end up being a very useful piece to this team. He’s 7-foot-1 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, long and athletic. He can shoot the rock from the three point line, provide more rebounding, and be a true rim protector.

Let’s take a look at what he’s done so far and what he’d likely provide the team right away.

Offensively, he’s raw but gifted. He’s averaged 4.5 points, making 43% of his field goals so far through his young career. He’s made 85 threes on 33.2% accuracy, showing an ability to hit from distance.

His best offensive game came March of 2017, towards the end of his rookie year. The Bucks faced the Detroit Pistons. Thon made 9 of 12 shots (75%), 4 treys and scored 23 points in a start against Andre Drummond. That’s saying something. To help his case, he made the shot that sent the game to overtime and scored 5 points in OT to help Milwaukee pull out the win.

Defensively, he had back to back games with 5 blocks in last year’s playoffs against the Boston Celtics. He can host a block party against the best of them in the most important moments. The Suns could definitely use his rim protection, which he’d provide immediately upon arrival.

Phoenix already has Deandre Ayton as their starting center and Richaun Holmes has become a nice backup. However, Maker can be groomed into a stretch four while honing in on his defensive instincts, hustle and energy. In the future, he could be solid next to Ayton. Big men going against that front court wouldn’t be able to stop Deandre and wouldn’t be able to score against Thon. That’s all potential but it’s definitely something that makes him a more tempting acquisition.

What would it take to get Thon Maker to Phoenix? Again, it might not take that much.

Why would the Suns do it? Troy Daniels hasn’t consistently been in the rotation and they send him to a team that could use another shooter. Jamal Crawford deserves better than to waste his last or one of his last seasons before retirement on this Suns team and they send him somewhere he can get another playoff run as well as have a chance to contribute. Really, Phoenix is sending a second round pick for Maker. That’s a risk worth taking.

For the Bucks, they get a second round pick and two players that can help them right now, improving their depth, which is crucial in the playoffs.

The Suns would be wise to pick up the phone and make this offer. It’s a low risk, potentially high reward move. Thon Maker could be more than worth it.