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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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 27: Justin Patton of the Minnesota Timberwolves is introduced to the media by head coach Tom Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden on June 27, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 27: Justin Patton of the Minnesota Timberwolves is introduced to the media by head coach Tom Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden on June 27, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Play at least 50 games

Patton will be entering his rookie season behind schedule. He will miss valuable training camp time. This is unfortunate, especially for a redshirt freshman with 35 games under his belt. Patton will need time to adjust to the physicality of the NBA, and the G League will be his best friend during is first season.

I mention the G League (formerly NBA Development League) only because I believe Patton needs to play at least 50 games next year — not necessarily NBA games — that are at or near NBA-speed. Putting on muscle is obviously going to be the primary concern for the rookie, but expanding his offensive arsenal will end up being just–if not more–important.

Part of the reason Patton was so well-liked amongst scouts was his lack of game experience, though. His best basketball is obviously ahead of him, but the type of player he will be is ahead of him as well. In his lone season of action at Creighton, he was highly effective in the paint. He showed off a nice post game and soft touch on his jump shot.

Having a lot of potential is awesome, but seeing is believing at the NBA-level. If Patton plays 60 percent of the games available to him next season, he will see rapid development.

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