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Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 goals for Justin Patton’s rookie season

By Michael Walton

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Justin Patton speaks with the media after being selected 16th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 22: Justin Patton speaks with the media after being selected 16th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 17: Justin Patton #23 of the Creighton Bluejays reacts against the Rhode Island Rams during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 17: Justin Patton #23 of the Creighton Bluejays reacts against the Rhode Island Rams during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Golden 1 Center on March 17, 2017 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Here are five goals for Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Justin Patton as he enters his first NBA season in 2017-18.

Justin Patton suffered a foot injury while training this offseason. He already underwent successful foot surgery in New York, but the Minnesota Timberwolves are being smart in ruling him out indefinitely so he can properly focus on recovery.

Even though Patton won’t be active at the start of the season, Tom Thibodeau and company should still set the bar high for the first-rounder out of Creighton.

During his lone season, Patton terrorized opposing teams in the paint. He led the Bluejays with the second-best field goal percentage in the nation at 50.5 percent. He was one of the more active bigs in the NCAA, often seen flying down the court following a change in possession. If he can bring that same hustle to the NBA, he will have a meaningful role from the start.

The key to his long-term future will hinge of the development of the skills he has yet to fully explore. Patton’s shot selection was great, but he still committed costly turnovers when going for perimeter moves he had no business trying in the first place. Patton’s habit of forcing the action against locked in defenses will need to be addressed before he can do any damage at the NBA level.

Durability was not a huge red flag for Patton coming into the draft, but the foot injury does give pause despite his immense potential. Even with Patton being sidelined for the foreseeable future, Minnesota management should still set the bar high for him this upcoming season. As long as his recovery goes well, Patton will bring the same rim-running and athleticism that he displayed at Creighton to a team looking to turn the corner into NBA playoff contention.

These are five goals for Patton should shoot for during his rookie season.

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