text says Thon Maker to Tasmania? could the JackJumpers make it work?

Could Thon Maker fit on the JackJumpers roster? Rumors are the free agent is considering the NBL as the next stop in his basketball journey. Shane Heal claimed on The Basketball Show this week that the JackJumpers would be “crazy” not to consider him, we’re looking to see how it could work….hypothetically.

If the JackJumpers have got cap space they are crazy if they don’t roll the dice with him right now. Because they are going to finish bottom, so they have to make some sort of play to continue to get get wins and try and create something for the future.

Shane Heal on Thon Maker, The Basketball show

Having been cut by the Cleveland Cavaliers in January of 2021, Maker signed a 1 year deal with Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. His move to Europe followed 263 NBA games across six seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Cleveland. Across 6 games with the Israeli side he averaged a modest 4 points and 4 rebounds. There was a coaching change while he was there, which could of played a part in the 24-year old’s short stay.

In mid-December former Thon Maker parted ways with Hapoel Jerusalem. The move was by “mutual agreement” between Thon and the team, a change of coach may have played a significant role in the decision. But the surprising announcement made it seem that another deal was in the works.

Thon’s is likley holding out for a return to the NBA, where teams are desperately filling their rosters with replacement players due to COVID decimating rosters. But the fact Maker has only played a total of 14 games in the last 12 months would work against his chances of an NBA return. An alternative would be return to Australia and the NBL, where on paper it seems several teams (including his hometown of Perth Wildcats) may be interested to add him to their roster.

But a month has passed and Thon is still a free agent. Could the JackJumpers snap him up?

The need for bigs

When the JackJumpers roster was finalised, the one thing that stood out was that the team was lacking height. Aside from Will Magnay and development player Jock Perry, the team does not have any reconised big men. You just need to look back to last weeks game against Melbourne without Magnay, they struggled on the boards and containing Melbourne’s big men inside the paint.

Thon Maker could easily fill that void. He played centre regularly during the NBA, which would allow Magnay to move to his preferred power forward position. Maker wasn’t a renown rebounder or shot blocker in the NBA, averaged 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks across 13.5 minutes per game. However, his size and length defensively caused problems for his opponents. A front court of Magnay and Maker would be one of the best in the NBL.

His ability to hit the three consistantly and spread the floor also fits into the JackJumpers offensive style.

Giving 100% to the JackJumpers

Coach Scott Roth and the JackJumpers are defense first. Throughout his NBA career it was noted that Maker possess the physical tools to be a high impact, quality defender, with great speed, athleticism and length. But how much Thon Maker would be willing to commit to “buying in” on defense is a big question.

Even for the most positive person, moving from the NBA, to Europe, then to the NBL would over the space of 12 months would be tough to swallow. Especially for man who Kevin Garnett claimed could be NBA MVP one day.

Yes the JackJumpers wouldn’t be his first choice, but similar to Magnay, the JackJumpers would provide the most minutes and best opportunity for Thon Maker to turn his career around for an NBA return.

Solving the Power Forward issue

Maker would instantly fix the JackJumpers problem at power forward. Currently Jack McVeigh is the starting 4 at the request of Scott Roth, due to lack of size within the team. McVeigh is still learning role, having played the 3 most of his career at Adelaide. Playing the 3/4 role off the bench would relieve some of the pressure on McVeigh, allow him time to adapt to the 4 role and play extended minutes as required through the next 2 seasons.

Fitting him into the roster

A roster spot would need to made available if Maker joined Tasmania. Right at this moment, the most likely player to make way would be Mikyle McIntosh, who has seen limited game time due to consistent foul trouble. McIntosh is a great player and has contributed in huge ways at small intervals so far, but the inconsistency has an issue.

Whether Maker would be a significant upgrade on McIntosh though is the big question. His size is a huge advantage, and there would be an increase rebounding and offensive production. However, it comes down to how committed is Tasmania to getting wins? They are already competing well with the NBL’s best each week.

Thon wouldn’t be a player with long term ambitions of staying in the NBL. So the JackJumpers would be essentially looking to make a significant mid-season change for a short-term player, for the chance of a few extra wins in their debut season.

Whatever happens, Maker is a huge talent that we’d love to see flourish in the right basketball environment. He has proven he can play in the NBA, and it would be great to see him back there soon. We’d love to see him back on the court, but whether that’s in the Australia remains to be seen. But lets be honest, the forest green uniform did look good on him at Milwaukee