A Royal Pain
Fansided

2017 NBA First Round Mock Draft 2.0

By Tyler Watts

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA;Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives between UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) and guard Lonzo Ball (2) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

20. Portland Trail Blazers (via Memphis Grizzlies)- Justin Patton- C- Creighton

Portland is back on the clock at pick twenty and should be searching for one of two things.  One, they go for an international stash player because having three first round picks on a roster that expects to contend is never easy.  The other option is a center that can control the paint and protect the rim.  The addition of Jusuf Nurkic helped them a great deal at center, but they need another center that makes up for some of their defensive deficiencies.

Why Justin Patton?

Justin Patton may not be NBA ready yet, but he showed the ability to protect the rim in the NCAA.  Patton was also a good one-on-one defender in college, and I think he can be a defensive force in the NBA if groomed properly.

The fit here works well in that Patton is not going to command the ball down low and is happy cleaning up misses and scoring off the pick and roll.  He does not show the ability to pass out of the high post like Masen Plumlee was successful doing with Portland, but I still think he is a good fit as a development big man with the Trail Blazers.

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