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2017 NBA Mock Draft: What if the Lakers don’t take Lonzo Ball?

By Chris Stone

Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) dribbles the ball against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Sun Devils won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Providence, RI, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) dunks and scores against the Providence Friars during the second half at the Dunkin Donuts Center. The Bluejays won 78-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Providence, RI, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) dunks and scores against the Providence Friars during the second half at the Dunkin Donuts Center. The Bluejays won 78-64. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
Learn more about Justin Patton at The Step Back.

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21

Justin Patton

C, Creighton

The Oklahoma City Thunder have several needs to fill in order to take the next step with Russell Westbrook at the helm. The most obvious need — as it is with many NBA franchises — is a collection of two-way wings. Right now, the Thunder’s roster features a slew of one-way guys like Andre Roberson and Doug McDermott. However, those players are also the most difficult to archetypes to find and there aren’t really any available here at No. 21, so Oklahoma City fills another need by bringing in a center with decent defensive upside.

With Steven Adams on the floor, the Thunder posted a defensive rating that would have ranked in the top five in the league his season, but their defensive rating fell to 109.9 with him on the bench, which would rank in the bottom half of the league over a full season. Creighton’s Justin Patton has the potential to provide a cushion against that slide.

Patton isn’t an elite defender, but he blocked 2.3 shots per 40 minutes in college and has solid lateral mobility to help defend pick-and-rolls. He can also provide some of the offense that current backup Enes Kanter brings to the table albeit in a different way. Patton is a great rim runner both in transition and out of ball screens, two things that should work well with Westbrook.
Learn more about Justin Patton at The Step Back.