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Pacers Draft Prep: Justin Patton is a questionable fit, but the talent is there

By Josh Padmore

Nov 15, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) dunks against the Wisconsin Badgers at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Creighton defeated Wisconsin 79-67. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) dunks against the Wisconsin Badgers at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Creighton defeated Wisconsin 79-67. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Creighton center Justin Patton could be available when the Indiana Pacers pick at 18 in the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft.

In a draft filled with talented big men, Justin Patton stands as one of the more intriguing options. After red-shirting the 2015-2016 season, he came into the 2016-2017 season and opened some eyes at Creighton.

Patton averaged 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He also showed some ability to stretch the floor, making 8-of-15 from 3-point range, good for 53.3 percent.

Strengths

Patton is still polishing up his skills on the offensive end, but he was very efficient at Creighton. He shot 67.6 percent from the field, which is great. He also shot 75 percent at the rim, according to DraftExpress. While teams won’t be relishing at post moves right off the bat, he’s a reliable option to catch lobs and finish at the rim.

Patton has length going for him. He’s 7-feet tall, has a 7-foot-3″ wingspan and a 9-foot-3 ½” standing reach. That length helps him block shots and be a factor on the defensive end.

Most big men are working on stretching the floor. Patton has a solid stroke already, and it’s only going to get better with more practice. As noted earlier, he shot over 50 percent on 3-pointers at Creighton. Like some NBA players, for example, Andre Roberson, Patton is oddly better from deep than he is at the foul line.

Weaknesses

Despite being 7-feet tall, Patton needs to improve a lot on the glass. He’s a below average rebounder for a center. He only pulled down 6.2 per game at Creighton. That’s something the Pacers are familiar with. Roy Hibbert didn’t rebound the ball that well even with his 7-foot-2 frame, and Myles Turner has had his struggles on the glass since entering the NBA.

This isn’t a knock on Patton, but the Pacers are a questionable fit for him. Patton is definitely more of a center than he is a power forward. Myles Turner is obviously Indiana’s center for the future. Although Kevin Pritchard said he envisions Turner playing the four more, it’s hard to imagine him playing it full time. Playing Turner and Patton together could cause trouble guarding the perimeter.

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There will probably be better fits available for the Pacers at No. 18, but they should at least give Justin Patton a look. He’s an improving center that should have a bright future in this league.

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