NBA Rumors: Thon Maker requests trade from Bucks, seeks larger role

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Thon Maker apparently feels left out of the Milwaukee Bucks' rapid turnaround.

Maker has told Bucks management he would like to be traded to a team where he would have a larger role, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday, citing league sources.

Milwaukee isn't obligated to trade Maker but at least has discussed potential trades with "rival teams" ahead of the NBA's Feb. 7 trade deadline, per Wojnarowski.

The 7-foot-1 big man is averaging just 11.7 points per game this season under new head coach Mike Budenholzer, down from 16.7 minutes per game last season. With Brook Lopez and Ersan Ilyasova logging most of the frontcourt minutes, Maker has been largely reduced to a backup role.

The 21-year-old South Sudan native has upside as a rim protector who can stretch the floor, however. He shot 39.3 percent from 3-point range during Milwaukee's first-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics last season.

The Celtics reportedly aren't expected to make a major move before the trade deadline, but Maker could be an intriguing option as frontcourt depth piece. Then again, the Bucks likely would be hesitant to trade Maker to an Eastern Conference rival unless they received quality assets in return. Maker also probably wouldn't see a significant uptick in playing time on Boston's crowded roster.

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