29. San Antonio Spurs: Justin Patton, Creighton Blue Jays
Position: Center
Age: 19 (6/14/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11.25″, 229 pounds, 7’3″
2016-17 Slash Line: .676/.533/.517
2016-17 Season Averages: 25.3 MPG, 12.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.7 ORPG, 1.2 APG, 1.4 BPG, 0.9 SPG
The San Antonio Spurs have a void to fill down low, and Tim Duncan’s 2016 retirement isn’t the only reason for that being true. Dewayne Dedmon will be an unrestricted free agent, Pau Gasol will turn 37 years of age in July, and the future at both center and power forward is debatable.
As the Spurs attempt to find the long-term answer along the offensive and defensive interiors, two names surface as options: Justin Patton and Caleb Swanigan.
Swanigan has been a first-round selection in multiple editions of the Daily Knicks mock drafts, but Patton is the selection here. He could go in the Top 20, but falls to No. 29 as a victim of circumstances as a traditional big man with more of a throwback game than a contemporary approach.
The Spurs can afford to gamble on Patton, however, and his combination of elite physical gifts and interior scoring ability could anchor Gregg Popovich’s legendary system.
Patton can run the floor at 6’11” and 229 pounds with an 7’3” wingspan, which is an appealing truth at the center position. His motor has created the foundation for his hype, which includes the potential to be an elite interior defender and a dominant force on the boards.
For perspective on how special he is: Patton recorded averages of 20.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.7 offensive rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals per 40 minutes on 67.6 percent shooting in 2016-17.