2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks and all 60 picks
Center. Creighton Bluejays. Justin Patton. 28. player. 20.
Ultimate Upside Comparison: Andrew Bogut
Safe Upside Comparison: Gorgui Dieng
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 Los Angeles Lakers have built every championship team in franchise history on the strength of a low-high balance. With 16 banners hanging and all but the Boston Celtics simply trying to catch up, the Lakers’ formula is tried and true.
This isn’t necessarily implying that Justin Patton will be the next great Lakers big man, but he has the skill set to help round the team into form.
At 6’11” with a 7’3″ wingspan and a near 9’4″ standing reach, Patton has elite measurements for a center. He’s also a fluid athlete who runs the floor well and has no trouble playing above the rim off of lobs or bounce passes.
Patton’s post game is still a work in progress, but part of the appeal here is that he still has so much room to grow—and he’s willing to be coached.
Patton patterns his game after Rudy Gobert and DeAndre Jordan, who are regarded as elite defensive players. That alone should appeal to a Lakers team that won’t make any true progress until the defense is fortified.
There are other options at center, but the optimal approach for the Lakers here would be to invest in Patton’s rapid growth as a player.