Bucks pick up options for Maker, Wilson

Milwaukee Bucks center Thon Maker and forward D.J. Wilson are under contract for at least one more season each.

One day before of the league's deadline for deciding on rookie-scale player options, the Bucks decided to pick up Maker's fourth-year option and Wilson's third-year option, a source said Tuesday. By picking up the options, the Bucks will pay Maker approximately $3.6 million next season and Wilson will receive a salary of about $3 million in 2019-'20.

According to a league source, the Bucks love both players, remain high on their talent and fit and see them as important parts of the team now and in the future.

The 10th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, Maker played 131 games mostly off the bench during his first two seasons in Milwaukee, averaging 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds. He figured prominently in the playoffs each season, starting in 2017 against the Toronto Raptors and bringing a much-needed jolt off the bench this past spring against the Boston Celtics beginning in Game 3.

This season, Maker got off to a slow start as he missed much of training camp and preseason competition with a left knee injury. He didn't appear in any of the Bucks' first four games before getting some late minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic. On Monday against the Raptors with star Giannis Antetokounmpo out, Maker moved into Milwaukee's rotation and acquitted himself well with 11 firsthalf points and seven rebounds.

Wilson, the 17th pick in 2017 – the first under general manager Jon Horst – has had a rockier start to his career. He logged only 71 minutes with the Bucks as a rookie.

Wilson impressed his teammates with his level of play during open gyms and training camp. However, he suffered a right hamstring strain during Milwaukee's preseason open scrimmage and has not appeared in a game since.