NBA Draft: Thon Maker thinks he’s being selected in lottery

Thon Maker is widely expected to be a late first round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, but the man himself believes he’ll be taken in the lottery.

Possibly said out of optimism, possibly said out of genuine self belief, possibly said out of typical basketball-player confidence; Thon Maker believes he’s a lottery pick.

As the 2016 NBA Draft approaches, with Brandon Ingram and Ben Simmons remaining as the consensus top two picks, other names are gradually shifting slightly as teams continue their workouts. Depending on what various franchises need and the performances prospects can put together during scrimmages and workouts, we’re starting to get a better idea of who might go where.

However, when it comes to the YouTube phenom and ‘7’1″ Kevin Durant’ (who isn’t actually Kevin Durant) that is Thon Maker, opinions are divided. Those who are swept up by the selective highlight reels and high upside believe Maker is worthy of an early selection, while those with an understanding of his raw skill set and lack of performance against top competition see him going late in the first round.

Well, according to the man himself, he believes he’s going in the lottery (via Jay King of Mass Live).

Maker’s confidence doesn’t end there.

Maker isn’t just some cocky kid, though. If you search around to see what reporters are saying about his maturity and the impressions he’s giving off in team interviews, it’s clear that he has a strong head on his shoulders. He’s mature and he’s ready to work hard to improve as necessary, which is desperately what he’ll need once he enters the NBA straight out of high school. Over the last month since the draft process really got underway, we’ve heard about how Maker has been just as impressive in interviews as workouts.

Yet, for the solid shooting range, agility, rebounding, motor, and shot blocking ability he’s shown, is Maker really worth a lottery pick?

In comparison to so many other prospects, Maker is far from being NBA ready. He’s a gifted athlete and has rare fluidity for someone his size, but strengthening his thin legs and overall physical profile will be vital for competing against elite big men, not to mention the need to establish the kind of feel for the game and shot selection that will be seriously tested when entering the league.

After coming straight from high school due to working his way around the rules, Thon Maker has essentially bypassed a stage of his development at college that everyone can agree would be vital to his early career. Instead, he’s making a major jump at a raw stage of his basketball ability.

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Upside alone likely won’t be enough for him to land in the lottery. Teams know just how far away he is from being someone who can contribute in a significant role, and that will be reflected in his selection.

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