NBA Draft: Thon Maker To Philadelphia 76ers Possible As Seven Footer Can Play The ‘Three’

The NBA Draft is just two months away and the Philadelphia 76ers look to maximize their picks, even the late ones.

Since they have multiple draft picks in the first round, they can afford to take a risk and Thon Maker looks like he is the high risk-high reward player that the Sixers can gamble on.

The Sixers can take Maker with the 24^th overall pick from the Miami Heat. According to Liberty Ballers, the pick fell in the tiebreaker as the Heat got tied up with the Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets. The Hawks move up to 21^st overall with the Hornets and Celtics following at 22^nd and 23^rd respectively.

This is where it could get tricky. Thon Maker is being projected somewhere between 20^th and 30^th as there were serious doubts on whether his frail, young body can take an NBA beating. Since he did not play college ball, teams would not have much to evaluate on. Thus, Maker is considered a high-risk.

However, because of the tiebreaker, the Boston Celtics, also a team with multiple picks, could take him at 23^rd.

Should the Sixers be worried about losing Thon Maker? The Sixers team site The Sixer Sense pondered on whether another seven-footer could join a team with three young centers on the roster.  

Maker is not the usual center-he is not even a center the way he plays, as he can play the perimeter and also drive to the basket since he has the handles of a guard. "(Maker) has a decent 3-point shot and ball handling skills. He seems to be a player who could function similar to how Chris Bosh does, which is what fans want to see from Embiid as well."

It's unlikely that Embiid will really become a three point shooter but Maker has a very decent shot and quick enough to defend guards.  Thus, many believe he could fit in with the Sixers. Also, there are no guarantees for Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. It is speculated that one of them might leave the team.

There is also the possibility that the Sixers could use him as trade bait. There are teams that would be interested in Maker and have the patience to take on a project like Maker.