Hoops Habit
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: 2017 NBA Draft grades

By Michael Walton

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Rhode Island Rams at Golden 1 Center. The Rams won 84-72. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Rhode Island Rams at Golden 1 Center. The Rams won 84-72. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Minnesota Timberwolves
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Justin Patton (Creighton) is interviewed after being introduced as the number sixteen overall pick to the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 16 — Justin Patton

In my opinion, Justin Patton at No. 16 was perhaps the best value pick of the draft, outside of Malik Monk to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 11. Patton may not be ready to be part of an NBA rotation yet, but down the line he presents some intriguing upside.

He is already a nuisance for the opposition as a rim-protector. Thibodeau will be able to help Patton hone his athleticism into a team defense concept, which is the only way he will see the floor for now. But he showed off the potential for deep shooting range — 53 percent on a very-limited 15 attempts from the three-point line — and the makings of a post game.

He scored 20.5 points per 40 minutes on a blistering 67.6 percent from the field in his lone year at Creighton. He is an advanced statistics darling who gets high-marks across the board.

Patton will have time to develop in Minnesota. And that is because of the presence of Gorgui Dieng and Karl-Anthony Towns. If Patton stays at his floor, he will be a good rim protector who only scores out of the pick-and-roll. If he reaches his full potential, Patton and Towns would form an extremely unique frontcourt.

Next: 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams

Having two seven-footers who can shoot and protect the rim would make Minnesota a matchup nightmare. Ultimately, this was a great pick, and the only reason it didn’t get an A is because I believe UCLA’s T.J. Leaf would have been a better fit as a traditional stretch-4 next to Towns.

Grade: B+

Home/Minnesota Timberwolves