Detroit Pistons: Key players with something to prove down the stretch

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons warms up prior to taking on the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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Thon Maker

Ever the punching bag for the vocal sectors of Pistons Twitter missing Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, Thon Maker had seen a minor surge since the trade deadline. He started the first game six games after the Drummond move and posted double-figure scoring in four of them.

Consistency has been the biggest issue for Maker and as he moved back to the bench he has slumped in a major way. After moving to the bench in the five games he has played he has posted totals of 10 points and 17 rebounds. Heading into free agency on a slump is less than ideal.

Maker is part of a clogged, young frontcourt as he is entering restricted free agency this summer. He has taken minutes from guys like Louis King and Donta Hall while they move back and forth to Grand Rapids, but going into next season it is unlikely that he will have a place on this team. Blake Griffin will be back. Ideally so will Christian Wood. Taking a look at younger guys makes more sense than keeping Maker around.

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Thon Maker should have a place in this league. He shows in stretches that he can have an impact in the right moment but he should not be someone you are consistently counting on. If he can land on a good team and get spot minutes as a reserve big man he can contribute. Auditioning for that role over the last month of the season will be the goal for the once viral Piston.

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