Denver Nuggets: 5 options for pick No. 13 in 2017 NBA Draft
By Brendan Vogt
4. Justin Patton, C, Creighton
Creighton’s big man Justin Patton has evolved from a relative unknown to arguably the best prospect coming out of the Big East. Patton isn’t as polished as Collins or some of the other big men in this draft. But he’s young, and he’s got upside for days.
Draft Express touts his rim running ability and notes that he rated higher than most college centers in points per possession while in transition. He moves well for a player that measured at 6’11” at the draft combine.
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Patton doesn’t come close to matching Collins’ vertical, but he doesn’t have to with his 7’3″ wingspan and 9’3 1/2″ standing reach. His arms serve as tentacles, and he’s an adroit finisher on lob attempts despite his limited vertical ability.
Some mock drafts have Patton going 17th in the draft, while Draft Express projects him to go 19th. Then there’s Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com, who sees Patton going to Denver at No. 13, citing his “undeniably high ceiling.”
The ceiling may be undeniably high, but the fit in Denver is a different story. The intrigue in Patton lies in his potential to develop into a dynamic scorer at the next level. Denver doesn’t need a center who might explode offensively over time, as they have a budding superstar in Nikola Jokic.
Denver needs a player who is a high impact defender and can get after it on the glass. Those things happen to be two of Patton’s bigger weaknesses.
It should be reiterated that Connelly is not afraid to draft the best available player and stockpile talent. But the Nuggets are overflowing with potential. Denver isn’t drafting in the top-five here, they should be valuing fit and context over raw talent in this draft.
Patton might have the most upside of the remaining players when Denver goes on the clock, but he’ll be woefully underprepared to fit Denver’s needs at the backup center position. He’s a top option, but Denver can do better.