2017 NBA Draft: First Round Mock 1.1

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) reacts after scoring against Xavier Musketeers during the Big East Conference Tournament Semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) reacts after scoring against Xavier Musketeers during the Big East Conference Tournament Semifinals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Milwaukee Bucks- Justin Patton- C- Creighton

The Milwaukee Bucks appear to be a team on the rise.  Led by 22-year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks qualified for the playoffs and lost a six-game first round series to the Toronto Raptors.  The team appears set going into next year with only bench pieces in Tony Snell, Michael Beasley, and Jason Terry heading to free agency.

According to a recent ESPN rumor, the Bucks are looking for shooting in the draft.  I can see the need and the growing NBA trend causing Milwaukee to draft a shooter.

Why Justin Patton?

If there is one position that was always in flux for Milwaukee last season it was the center spot.  They shuffled between Greg Monroe, Spencer Hawes, and John Henson all season.

Enter Justin Patton a center with three-point shooting potential.  Patton sank 57.1% of his three-point attempts last season, but he only took 0.4 attempts per game.  It is a minuscule sample but shows Patton has the potential to be dangerous from that range with some extra work.

I like the fit with Milwaukee and believe this will be their selection if he is still on the board.