Sporting Sota
Fansided

Wolves first round pick Justin Patton breaks foot

By Jake Andersen

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Justin Patton walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 16th overall by the Chicago Bulls during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: Justin Patton walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 16th overall by the Chicago Bulls during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Minnesota Timberwolves first round pick Justin Patton has broken a bone in his left foot and is out indefinitely after successful surgery.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had quite a successful offseason, but they have hit their first road bump with news that first round pick Justin Patton is out indefinitely. The Timberwolves announced that the rookie center had successful surgery on the fifth metatarsal in his left foot after suffering the injury in a workout.

Patton’s injury comes just before the Wolves head into the Las Vegas Summer League, which starts on July 8. This means Minnesota’s summer league time will be without the 6-foot-11, 230 pound big man. Instead, the team heads into Las Vegas with a roster of undrafted free agents and G-Leaguers. In the 2016 Las Vegas Summer League, the Wolves won the league behind an outstanding performance by NBA Summer League MVP Tyus Jones.

More importantly, Patton misses out on a big opportunity to learn Tom Thibodeau’s system under summer league head coach Ryan Saunders. While a rehab time table isn’t set, this type of injury usually heals in three to four months. That means Patton should be ready around the beginning of the 2017-18 season.

The Timberwolves drafted the athletic big man sixteenth overall, a pick they received along with Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls. He has the ability to become a great finisher and defender down low after averaging 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals in his lone collegiate season at Creighton. Yet, he’s considered a raw prospect that needs time to develop before becoming a major factor in the lineup. In other words, this injury certainly doesn’t help as he now focuses on rehabbing.

More from Minnesota Timberwolves

Another dilemma Patton’s injury presents is whether it changes what the Wolves do with their current arsenal of big men. On top of Patton, they have Karl-Anthony Towns, Gorgui Dieng, Nemanja Bjelica, Cole Aldrich and the newly signed Taj Gibson. Yet, Aldrich has been in the center of trade rumors recently in order for Minnesota to gain cap space to make a run at a free agent wing or guard. In turn, they may hold onto Aldrich or sign another free agent big man to a veteran minimum deal.

Patton’s left foot injury marks the Wolves’ second such injury to a Minnesota big man in the last four months. In March, Bjelica suffered a fractured navicular bone to his left foot resulting in season ending surgery. The Wolves hope to have Bjelica ready by the start of the season.

The Timberwolves also announced the official signing of Patton on Tuesday evening.

Next: Why Jeff Teague is a better fit than Ricky Rubio!

Sporting Sota is your home for all things Minnesota sports! Keep it here for all your Minnesota Timberwolves, Lynx, Gophers, Vikings, Twins and Wild needs!

Home/Minnesota Timberwolves