2017 NBA Mock Draft 3.0

Cody Zeller is a fine NBA player, and Frank Kaminsky seems to be trending in that same direction, but they could stand to improve their depth at the center position as they look to revamp their consistently mediocre rotation. Patton has the potential to help them do so.

At 6-11 with a long, lanky frame, Patton simply fills up a lot of space around the basket. He’s quick on his feet for a player of his size, and plays both sides of the basketball with the type of energy that’ll help him find success in numerous facets at the next level. He plays above the rim with ease, finishing off lobs and having the potential to flourish as the roll man at the next level, especially if paired with a point guard of Kemba Walker’s caliber in that regard.

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Patton can get a bit rushed into his motions on the block still, especially when working in isolation, but he’s putting the proverbial pieces together at a promisingly high rate this season. As a nearly-unheralded redshirt freshman coming in, he ascended into the lottery conversation in a fairly short period of time — and that’s a testament to both his work ethic and his budding skill set.

His finishing touch around the basket with little jump hooks and drop shots in the painted area has improved vastly, while his jumper is being extended with relative success all the way out to the 3-point line on occasion. He’s a 34.8 percent shooter in the mid-range game as well, boasting some sizable pick-and-pop potential down the road.

His defensive upside is also far higher than that of Zeller or Kaminsky in regards to protecting the rim, something they could stand to benefit from given their already-solid defensive core.