The Houston Rockets need to give Thon Maker a chance

Exhibit 10 contracts don't usually make headlines. It's widely understood that players on those deals are unlikely to crack main NBA rosters.

The Houston Rockets just made an exception. It's not every day that a former lottery pick grabs an Exhibit 10. Yet, here is Thon Maker. He is three seasons removed from NBA action, and now, he's got an opportunity with the Rockets.

Most optimism surrounding Maker died a long time ago. That's understandable. He had more than a fair shake in the big leagues, and he failed to make an impact.

The Rockets should give him one more chance anyway.

Maker still has NBA potential

Maker is not a starter. That much is clear. So, he's fallen short of expectations as the 10th overall pick in the 2016 draft.

Has he been an NBA-level player?

The numbers may surprise you. Judging by Box Plus/Minus (BPM), Maker's best season came in 2018-19. He had a respectable -1.2 BPM during that season.

Yet, even that number is misleading. Maker split his season between the Bucks and the Pistons. During 35 games in Milwaukee, his BPM was a much cleaner 0.0. Maker even managed a positive Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) of 1.3.

When he landed in Detroit, his BPM plummeted to -2.1. There's no mystery as to why. The Bucks were a 60-win team, and the Pistons were .500.

BPM is partly dependent on who you're sharing the floor with. Granted, that cuts both ways - Maker's positive BPM was buoyed by a strong Bucks squad. Still, across 35 games for the Bucks that year, he showed that he could be a positive contributor in a winning NBA rotation.

Could he do it again in Houston?

Rockets should roll the dice with open roster spot

If AJ Griffin hadn't prematurely retired, this piece would not have been written.

Yet, here we are. The Rockets have an open roster spot. That's not the same as having an open rotation spot. If they did convert Maker's deal to a two-way contract or a veteran's minimum, he'd be relegated to the back of the team's bench.

That's a perfect spot for him at this stage of his career. Maker could be on standby in the event of an injury. There are basketball reasons to think he could be a solid addition to the team if he was forced to take the floor.

Everyone wants to pair Alperen Sengun with a weakside shot blocker, right? That's Maker's specialty. He's too weak to be a primary rim protector, but his quick feet and long arms allow him to come up with plenty of blocks on the weak side. Offensively, Maker isn't a strong floor spacer, but he's not a non-shooter. Shooting is a notoriously volatile stat - who's to say Maker isn't due for his career year?

After all, it's a make-or-miss league, and people miss Maker.

(Sorry).

Jokes aside, we've no delusions about Maker's future. His days as a potential star are long behind him. Still, he's flashed some potential as a rotation player, and his skillset has some utility with this roster. Even aside from his fit with Sengun, Maker could play the 5 in lineups that space the floor for Amen Thompson.

The Rockets ought to at least find out.