Detroit Pistons: Signing Justin Patton is new GM Troy Weaver’s first move

The Detroit Pistons hired new general manager Troy Weaver earlier this month and he wasted no time making his first signing, center Justin Patton.

The Detroit Pistons hired their new general manager, Troy Weaver, earlier this month. After being introduced to fans and the media, he got right to work in making this team in his image. Weaver’s first move? Signing center Justin Patton to a two-year deal that was favorable to both parties.

Patton was a former first-round pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2017 NBA draft, going 16th overall. He suffered a broken foot both before his rookie and second seasons and has only played nine NBA games in stints with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Philadelphia 76ers, and most recently this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Weaver’s previous team.

It’s worth noting that Patton never actually suited up for regular season action with the Bulls, the team that drafted him.

In signing Patton, Weaver has the opportunity to continue what may be described as a reclamation and restoration project. He’s clearly a player who Weaver believes in, at least from a talent and potential perspective, and the investment is a sound one for the Pistons with solid upside for Patton if he’s able to produce.

Patton’s deal for the rest of the season is worth $183,115, and the second season is a non-guaranteed $1.763 million for next season, well above the minimum as the Pistons used the remainder of this 2019-20’s pro-rated non-taxpayer mid-level exception.

This could be the first indication of what the Detroit Pistons intend to do with Thon Maker at that reserve center spot. We may see a competition emerge between Maker and Patton to make the team as the Pistons suddenly look to have some intrigue potential in the frontcourt.

Patton has yet to stick with any NBA team, but the 23-year-old has had some success in the G-League. In three seasons, he’s played 79 games and started 54 of them, averaging 11.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.13 rebounds in an average of 24 minutes per game.

Of course, translating from the G-League to the NBA is a tall task, but given his talent and youth, the Detroit Pistons are clearly optimistic that Justin Patton has a chance to offer them something next season.