Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

Minnesota Timberwolves: Mid-season report card

By Brian Sampson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Head coach Tom Thibodeau of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 18
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 24: Justin Patton #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up before the game against the Miami Heat on November 24, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 24: Justin Patton #24 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up before the game against the Miami Heat on November 24, 2017 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Justin Patton: C

Justin Patton hasn’t completely made it back from the broken foot he suffered in July, but he’s as close as one can be.

Patton has been playing in the G-League for the Wolves as part of his comeback tour. There, he’s averaging 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds while only playing 16.7 minutes per game. It’s good to know Minnesota is taking their time with his recovery, as a foot injury for a seven-footer can be a serious and lasting injury.

The incomplete grade would make sense, considering we have yet to see what he can truly do. However, I decided to factor the injury into his grade because that’s part of life in the NBA-even if it is out of his control.

Patton, at just 20-years-old, has the potential to turn his game into something special. He could stretch his range out to the three-point line similar to another seven-footer already on the Timberwolves’ roster. However, he has yet to show that skill in the G-League so far, attempting only one three-point attempt in his 16 games.

Overall, his shooting in Iowa has been unimpressive. He’s connecting on only 44.9 percent of his shots, something that would be okay for a guard, but it’s a very low number for a big man.

The Timberwolves would be smart to keep Patton in the G-League all season, allowing him to get consistent playing time instead of rotting away on the bench. Regardless, he could see his end of the year grade go up if he continues to play, and play well, for the Wolves.

Home/Timberwolves News