Draft Profile: Tyrese Maxey
Position: SG (Kentucky)
Age: 19
Height: 6 ft 3
Weight: 200 lbs
Wingspan: 6 ft 8
The Sales Pitch: Every draft we look for the value pick. Specifically, for that high scorer who, for reasons out of his control, didn’t look the part in college, but may be hiding buckets aplenty. Look no further than Tyrese Maxey: a combo guard with an NBA body who is already adept at scoring at all three levels and played the good soldier at Kentucky, AKA “Play Ya Role, Suppress Ya Talent” University. Sure, the 3-point percentage wasn’t there, but he shoots mid-80s from the stripe, shot threes well in high school, and has a beautiful quick trigger. He didn’t get to showcase his pick-and-roll skills at Kentucky. Maxey’s motor is incredible, and it shows in his JJ Redick-esque off-ball movement. He is long-limbed and a dogged on-ball defender, and for someone who apparently has shaky handle and mostly got the ball off cuts and curls, he had a higher free throw rate than RJ Barrett and Anthony Edwards. He won’t organize your offense, but he’s a bucket getter at the off guard who is strong and long enough to handle other taller shooting guards he would be matched up with. Taken all together, the big-time scoring upside pick is Tyrese Maxey, and stunningly, he comes with zero questions about defense and effort. Take that bet, Leon!
Check out The Strickland’s 2020 NBA Draft Big Board here!
Elite Traits/Skills: None…? Physical motor if you count that?
The Devil’s Advocate Argument: All I heard was “blah blah blah, he should be doing this, that and the other.” He shot 30% on jumpers — ALL jumpers! He shot 29% from three at Kentucky and 31% as a senior in high school! His handle isn’t great, he’s not a good passer, and he doesn’t play above the rim... so if his shot isn’t trustworthy and he’s small for a point guard — let alone for an off guard — why is this even a discussion? Also, he’s fine as an undersized one-on-one defender, but shaky as an off-ball defender. I guess if half those things go right, he can be a solid, microwave-scoring undersized 2, if that’s what gets you excited...
The Misconceptions: Not much, really. People know the deal: good-looking shot that didn’t go in, strong kid who can finish at the rim and get to the line, while playing the most camera-friendly brand of good defense you can play.
Important numbers:
31%: His 3P% at Kentucky on 113 attempts
30%: His 3P% as a senior in high school on 205 attempts
.350: His free throw rate
82%: His FT% in high school and college (five years)
86th percentile: Rank as pick-and-roll scorer
20th percentile: Rank on catch-and-shoot jump shots
97th percentile: Rank in points allowed per possession for one-on-one defense
Knicks Fit: He’s a bad fit as a point guard and a potentially great fit if the shooting can be more than theoretical as a shooting guard. The Knicks lack a guard with his motor on both ends, and in a league where being able to shoot/dribble/pass/defend is a requirement for good playoff minutes, he might check all four boxes. However, if the shot remains theoretical, he is arguably a wasted lottery pick.
Educate yourself on some other potential Knicks: Killian Hayes, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Onyeka Okongwu, Devin Vassell, Isaac Okoro, Patrick Williams, Grant Riller, Obi Toppin, Aleksej Pokusevski, Deni Avdija, Kira Lewis Jr.
