Thon

Maker

Maker hasn’t played in the United States since his 2022 stint with the Long Island Nets while Nowell spent most of his time with the 905 Raptors after signing with the Toronto Raptors. Neither is expected to play meaningful NBA minutes in 2024-25.

The 10th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Maker last appeared in the league during the 2020-21 season. After appearing in just six games for Hapoel Jerusalem last season, he’s moving to China.

Maker was the 10th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft and has spent the last five season’s trying to crack an NBA rotation. He has spent time with the Bucks, Pistons, and Cavaliers but has failed to accomplish that goal, and will now take his talents to Europe.

This was to make room for Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince. Maker only averaged 9.5 minutes for the Cavaliers and will struggle to find a rotation spot elsewhere.

JaVale McGee and Thon Maker should get a decent bump in minutes tonight, while guys like Damyean Dotson, Cedi Osman and Larry Nance will be taking a lead role on offense. McGee makes sense as a DFS punt play with Drummond on the sidelines.

Maker made his second appearance in a Cavs uniform, playing nine minutes after both Andre Drummond and JaVale McGee were caught in foul trouble. He had an incredible block, and made both free throws he took. He should be kept on the waiver wire for now, but it was good to see what he’s capable of.

He had a very soft market after the Pistons declined to extend a qualifying offer. Maker isn’t a lock to make the roster but this is one of the few landing spots where he’ll actually get a chance with the Cavs rebuilding. He’ll compete for backup center minutes behind Andre Drummond.

The Bucks took a chance on Maker with the No. 10 overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft, but he just hasn’t really panned out at the NBA level. Perhaps he’ll snag a minimum-level deal elsewhere, but we doubt he’ll ever be a relevant name in fantasy hoops.

Detroit trading for Dedmon could indicate that they aren’t all that interested in retaining Thon Maker, or perhaps Dedmon will factor in as a trade chip in a different deal down the road, but this isn’t a move that will make much of an impact in fantasy hoops. If Dedmon remains in Detroit and they’re able to retain Christian Wood, then he’ll be nothing more than a backup, devoid of fantasy value.

Detroit was playing without John Henson, who sprained his left ankle on Sunday, but that’s unlikely to benefit Maker going forward with the NBA season on hold. Until the league offers some clarity about when games might resume, we’re adding and dropping players in the dark.