Milwaukee Bucks: 4 replacement players they could look to from Wisconsin Herd – Justin Patton
Not long before the NBA season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Herd loaded up for their playoff push by bringing in journeyman center Justin Patton.
After being selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Patton’s time in the NBA was mired by a myriad of broken foot and lower leg injuries, which is why he has just 49 minutes of NBA action to his name three years into his pro career.
But Patton has been on the mend over the last year and has started to show his potential as a modern NBA center, even over his brief time with the Herd as well. Whether it’s setting screens and rolling to the rim to explode for a two-hand slam or spacing the floor, Patton could fill a variety of roles within an offense. Though, Patton could certainly stand to improve his 30.4 percent 3-point shooting on the G League level.
On the other side of the ball, Patton’s 6’11” frame makes a him worthy deterrent protecting the rim, especially within Milwaukee’s drop-back defensive scheme, and he’s collected 2.1 blocks per game during his 1,894 G League minutes.
Patton has endured through many stumbles and hardships since turning pro nearly three years ago, but as he’s putting things together and making up for lost time, he could be a nice center option behind the established Lopez brothers.