Toronto Raptors: 3 former first-rounders Raps could give a fresh start
By Mike Luciano
2. Thon Maker
It feels like Maker has been in the NBA forever considering how long his name has been in the limelight, but he is still just 24 years old. This should squash any speculation that his NBA career could come to an end despite him not living up to the billing as a first round pick.
Taken No. 10 overall by Milwaukee, the 7-foot big man with point guard handles and shooting ability never developed into the game-changer Jason Kidd and the Bucks expected. While he has bounced around the Central division with Detroit and Cleveland in the last few years, could his potential be realized in Toronto?
Will Thon Maker finally bloom with the Toronto Raptors?
Chris Boucher has morphed from a G League player into an ace reserve and Sixth Man of the Year candidate. Boucher’s style of play isn’t that dissimilar to Maker’s game, and considering the success Nurse has had with coaching players in that archetype, he could be someone who finally makes it click for Maker.
Maker still has too much talent to see his NBA career ended so prematurely. Toronto might be his last chance at proving his worth, but if Nurse can get him to add some muscle and be more impactful on the defensive end, there is a chance that he can finally start to become the stud everyone thought he’d be as a rookie.