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Atlanta Hawks Draft Profile: Justin Patton

By Justin Hodges

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Rhode Island Rams at Golden 1 Center. The Rams won 84-72. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Rhode Island Rams at Golden 1 Center. The Rams won 84-72. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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One prospect that the Atlanta Hawks have been continually linked to is Creighton big man Justin Patton.

The Atlanta Hawks taking a big man with the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft appears to be a safe bet. The team has spry youth spread across the backcourt, with not as much in the frontcourt. There are a plethora of big men projected to be available for the Hawks in that area.

Justin Patton is gifted offensively, more-so than arguably any big man in this draft. He averaged 20.3 points per-40 minutes along with an outrageously high 68 percent true shooting percentage to lead Creighton to the NCAA Tournament.

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Some of Justin Patton’s physical attributes make NBA scouts drool. He is listed at 7′ and weighing in at 230 pounds with a 7’3″ wingspan and 9’3″ standing reach. The length makes him an absolute threat on the floor, and his athleticism and high energy levels make for tremendous upside.

Justin Patton is a major threat in transition, scoring 1.47 points per possession in transition according to Draft Express. He runs the floor so well and hardly isn’t moving without the basketball. Patton knows how to cut to the rim and executes pick and rolls exceptionally well, making for an excellent ally-oop target. This went into Patton’s absurd 75 percent field goal percentage on shots around the rim.

Along with his exceptional open-floor capabilities, Patton also has a capable jump shot. Part of his offensive proficiency is the ability to consistently cash in on mid-range shots, and he showed last season that he can hit the occasional three-pointer. Both of those should look to be even better when Patton becomes a pro.

Physicality will be an issue for Patton going forward. Particularly on post-ups, both on offense and defense, as well as rebounding. He does have potential as a rim protector with that length, but  Patton most definitely has to get stronger in order to play down low in the NBA.

For the Atlanta Hawks, Justin Patton is a young and talented center that the team could potentially have as their future franchise center, once Dwight Howard‘s time is done.

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There is so much potential there, and given Atlanta’s focus on player development during Mike Budenholzer’s tenure, Patton could flourish with the Hawks organization.