Ranking 10 worst starters of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era

Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thon Maker. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Thon Maker

The Bucks thought Thon Maker could be the next Giannis Antetokounmpo when they drafted him tenth overall in 2016. The teenager from South Sudan had immense potential, and Kevin Garnett once boldly predicted Maker would be MVP someday.

Maker took over as the starter in Feb. of his rookie season but averaged just 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game over the final 31 contests. He started in the playoffs as the Bucks were bounced by the Raptors in the first round. Maker played more in year two, but it became apparent that he was not an NBA player. There was no defense, poor shot selection, and overall ineffectiveness.

The Bucks traded Maker to the Pistons in Feb. 2019 to get Nikola Mirotic. The former top-ten draft pick averaged just 4.5 points and 2.6 rebounds over his 166 games with the Bucks. Maker played two more years in the NBA before falling out of favor at 23 years old. He is still only 26, but the seven-footer is just not an NBA player.

The Milwaukee Bucks must do a better job of putting a strong starting five around Giannis Antetokounmpo moving forward. The Greek Freak is all-in on winning, and the organization must be too. They cannot afford to make mistakes or the nightmare scenario of Giannis leaving could become reality.