Milwaukee Bucks: Grading every first round pick since 2014
By Dalton Sell
Grading the Milwaukee Bucks’ first round picks: Thon Maker, 2016
The Bucks swung for the fences once again after selecting Thon Maker with the 10th pick in 2016, which was a questionable move from the start. Maker showed glimpses of potential in the many highlight reels of his that had been dominating the internet at the time, but the most significant question was whether the 19-year-old could do it at an NBA level. Understanding the risk, the Bucks brought him in and hoped to have found another hidden gem.
Unfortunately, Maker’s brief two and a half seasons in Milwaukee did not go as many hoped, with his rookie year particularly getting off to a slow start. In his first year with the team, Maker would average just four points and two rebounds in 9.9 minutes per game. After that disappointment, he would work out with former league MVP Kevin Garnett, which was a hot topic at the time, with KG telling people that Maker would be a future MVP one day and that The Big Ticket saw himself in Maker on the court. That declaration had fans excited for year two.
Although Maker saw his minutes increase to 16.7 per game, his production remained right around the same as he tallied 4.8 points and three rebounds that season. His minutes would decrease the following year, and Maker seemingly grew frustrated after requesting a trade. Considering that the Bucks were the best team in the league at that point, it was a bold move from Maker, but it was clear that he wanted a bigger role for himself, and the front office obliged by trading him to the Detroit Pistons.
It was another disappointing pick by the Bucks, especially with the players that went after Maker in that star-studded draft.