OKC Thunder diamond in the rough – The Justin Patton project begins

After two injury plagued years in the pros the newest center for the OKC Thunder is ready to make his mark. Thus begins ‘The Justin Patton Project’.

For the second time in two years, the OKC Thunder have signed a big man whose early career has been hampered by injury.

Last season it was Nerlens Noel, originally taken by the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth pick of the 2013 draft prior to trading his rights to the Philadelphia 76ers. From there the 76ers sent him to the Dallas Mavericks after drafting big men Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor in successive drafts.

Noel was injury plagued his first four seasons in the NBA, but since coming to the Thunder at the start of the 2018-19 season, he’s missed only five of a possible 82 games.  Justin Patton, taken with the 16th pick of the 2017 draft by the Chicago Bulls experienced a worse start to his career. Appearing in only four games over the last two seasons thanks to two separate foot surgeries amongst other factors.

After missing the start of his rookie year, the Minnesota Timberwolves assigned Patton to their G-League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves. There he played 38 games, averaging 12.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. He even got the call up to the Timberwolves varsity squad for a single game, appearing in only four minutes of action.

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Patton was then a part of the Jimmy Butler trade and was sent to the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite recovering from his second foot surgery a month prior to the regular season starting he would only appear in three games for the varsity squad and 11 games for the 76ers G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. The 76ers waived Patton before the start of the 2019 playoffs.

Now for the OKC Thunder

At this point, what Patton can do on an NBA floor is a relative unknown. He has a nice shooting action; he is tall at 7’0” and seems to have a good read on defense. He is, however, very much the third-string center for the OKC Thunder.

Steven Adams is the starting center, Nerlens Noel is his very capable backup. This leaves Patton as a project player and as he said in his interview with Nick Gallo on OKCThunder.com “I could not be in a better place as far as development.”

“I could not be in a better place for development.” – Patton

Patton also stated that he was constantly getting beaten up by both Adams and Noel at training but he realized that this was going to be great for his development. If you can hold your own against either of those two, you will be able to compete on an NBA court. However, my excitement about Patton is that he is trying to extend his range.

This could bring a whole new look to the OKC Thunder on the court. Just imagine starting Dario Gallinari at power forward, one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA and when he is rested, bringing on a taller stretch four or five to play alongside Noel in the backup unit. This could be a way off, but it certainly could happen.

Patton impressed me in the second preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks. Yes the OKC Thunder were thrashed but Patton played a solid 18 minutes, collecting two points, five rebounds, three blocks, and an astonishing seven steals.

Some of these numbers can be attributed to preseason play but it does show that he has defensive nous.

Offensively Patton did some good things, his shot selection was good, even though he was only 1 of 4 four. The one shot he did hit was a great heads up play. Dennis Schroder had just driven to the rim only for his shot to be blocked against the backboard by Kristaps Porzingis.

The loose ball was picked up by Patton who took it straight back up to the hoop for a slam. This showed that he recognized that the shot blocker was out of position and chose the highest percentage play.

As a big man, Patton is going to take more time to develop. Plays like this are showing that the Patton project has started and there is a great path for development. Let’s just hope that he can stay healthy.