Makur Maker has signed with Australia’s Sydney Kings, according to Alessandro Maggi of Sportando. The 6’11” Maker, who attended Howard University last season, withdrew from this year’s draft but missed the NCAA’s withdrawal deadline. He’ll join the NBL’s Next Stars program with the aim of improving his draft stock.
“I can’t wait to learn from Luc Longley and Andrew Bogut, probably the best two big men in Australian basketball history who both were NBA champions,” he said. “Furthermore, under the leadership of our head coach Chase Buford, who is also of NBA championship background, and the front office with the CEO Chris Pongrass who was with the Memphis Grizzlies, I feel that this is my best pathway to becoming an NBA lottery pick next year.”
We have more from the basketball world:
- Following the schedule release on Friday, the Nets were listed by Caesars Sportsbook as the favorite to win the most regular-season games, David Purdum of ESPN relays. Brooklyn’s projected odds are 54.5 victories, just ahead of the Bucks (53.5), Lakers (51.5), Jazz (51.5) and Sixers (51.5). The Pistons (25.5), Magic (23.5) and Thunder (22.5) sit at the bottom of the projected wins list.
- Former NBA forward Johnathan Williams has signed with Italy’s Dolomiti Energia Trento, Sportando relays. He played with Germany’s Niners Chemnitz last season. Williams appeared in 15 games for the Wizards in 2019/20 and 24 for the Lakers in 2018/19.
- Hall-of-Famer Ray Allen has decided to become a prep coach, according to The Associated Press. Allen has been hired as the director of boys and girls basketball at Miami’s Gulliver Prep, and will also coach the boys varsity team.
Vegas odds
Jazz 51.5 wins
Warriors 48.5 wins
My odds
Jazz 60 wins
Warriors 46 wins
The nets will come in under on total wins
When Sixers make a Simmons trade. Their odds will go up. Not a bad bet right now, I’d say..
Makur is cousin of Thon Maker. Don’t get what Happened to Thon. Thought he had a long career as a rim protector. Was a mobile big. He fell out of favor quick. Thon is only 24. I couldn’t believe that man. Got a younger brother plays too Matur. I’ve read Makur the cousin, is the more talented one. He better have learned from his cousins mistakes. Still can’t believe Thon is only 24.
What are the Sixers getting for Simmons to make their odds increase? The way things are now it’s amazing how they’re expected to win that many, although trading Simmons would be addition by subtraction if it happens.
He probably isn’t.
There are rumors that Thon is actually like 7+ years older than he is listed. That being said, he would be a good fit for a team looking for a floor spacing big that can adequately defend, in general. His hands are pretty terrible, and he can be foul prone, but at the price you can get him, he is still more than viable
It’s fun to guess, but injuries and resting players will throw all these numbers off.