Roundup of 2016 NBA Draft grades for Milwaukee Bucks
Boom or bust?
That seems to be the consensus around the web for the Milwaukee Bucks' first-round selection of Thon Maker in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Milwaukee surprised many by selecting the 19-year-old high schooler with its top pick and that is reflected in the draft grades being handed out by the so-called experts. Maker certainly has the upside, but will he reach his potential? That's what the prognosticators weighed -- as well as where the Bucks took him, at No. 10, in assigning their grades.
While there is definitely no consensus on the Maker pick, the selection of Virginia shooting guard Malcolm Brogdon is being universially praised.
Of course, as with any draft, we really won't know how good or bad a pick was until years down the line. But it is always fun seeing what people think right off the bat.
The grades listed below are for the team unless otherwise indicated.
Aaron Torres of FOXSports.com: D+. "There's no other way to put it: The selection of Maker wasn't just the most confusing of the night, but one of the most befuddling in recent memory. Just to completely wrap our heads around it, here's what you need to know about the selection: Milwaukee used a top-10 pick on a player who's never played past high school (and didn't dominate while there), reportedly could be much older than the 19 he's listed as, and likely could have been acquired either later in the first round or in the second. I just don't get it. Brogdon is a solid second-round addition, but it's still hard to focus on him when Maker went 26 spots ahead of him."
A.J. Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer of USA Today: Maker -- B-. "To go along with the trend of young, lanky talent overflowing in Milwaukee, the Bucks took the 7-1, 215 pound Sudanese-Australian significantly earlier than expected. What he lacks in experience, he makes up for in size and athleticism. Maker is a big risk taken this early, but the Bucks (hello, Greek Freak) have shown they're not scared of a project."; Brogdon -- A. "Brogdon, the ACC Player of the Year, is a long, versatile defender who fits perfectly into the Bucks' defensive plans."
Jeremy Woo of SI.com: Grade for Maker pick -- C-. "WHOA! Here's the first curveball of the draft. Bucks GM John Hammond reportedly coveted Maker throughout the evaluation process. That said, this feels like a reach. Maker has size, length and a developing jumper, but has never faced high-level competition on a consistent basis and isn't ready to bang inside in the NBA. The Bucks have a glut of forwards on board already, and though Maker won't have to be conscripted into action, they aren't addressing a clear need here. He's conceivably a stretch four down the line if he bulks up, but right now, he's just a stretch."
Sam Vecenie of CBSSports.com: Maker -- D. "This is just not great value. Maker is the rawest player in this draft, and is still two years away from legitimately playing in an NBA game due to his lack of strength and limited basketball instincts. To make matters worse, Maker likely won't be able to get time on the floor to improve because the team does not have a D-League affiliate to stick him with. It's hard for me to see how this one works out well for them."; Brogdon -- A. "Milwaukee just picked up a first-round value in the second round in Brogdon. The Virginia product was a back-to-back All-American and was probably the best perimeter defender in the entire draft. I think he carves out a solid NBA role." Overall grade: C.
The Vertical: Grade for Maker pick -- D. "A rare preps-to-pros prospect in the one-and-done era. Well-traveled prospect with great size. An inconsistent jump shooter who can put the ball on the floor. Feel for the game and polish leave something to be desired. Does his best work competing on both ends because his motor helps him earn opportunities inside and make an impact defensively. Lack of experience and poor frame are major concerns. Hard worker with good character."
Andrew Sharp of SI.com: F.
Josh Benjamin of Forbes.com: : Grade for Maker pick -- D. "Maker's name was being thrown around as one that could fall out of the first round entirely due to questions about his age, and Milwaukee went ahead and used a lottery pick on him. The seven-footer has tons of upside, but is he 19 years old or 22? Either way, with Greg Monroe already established at center and more established big men in Deyonta Davis available, this pick redefines the term 'reach.'"
Paul Banks of the Washington Times and David Kay of The Sports Bank via WalterFootball.com: Maker -- D-. "This is the ultimate risk/reward pick and insanely high to take Maker, who could be 19 years old like he says or in his mid-30s... who knows? Maker is long and a defensive presence which Milwaukee already has in John Henson. The Bucks would have been better off drafting someone like Domatas Sabonis or Henry Ellenson or Deyonta Davis or Skal Labisierre or... I think you get my point."; Brogdon -- A+. "Brogdon isn't the ideal NBA athlete but has enough intangibles to become a role player at the next level. The Bucks have a few free agent guards so he could crack their rotation this year."
James Hawkins of the Detroit News: Grade for Maker pick -- C+.
Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns
