Recent NBA 1st Round Pick Signs With Team In China

According to Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype, Justin Patton has signed with the Shanxi Loongs.

Justin Patton was initially the 16th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls but spent his rookie season with the Minnesota Timberwolves (he was part of the Jimmy Butler trade).  

The former Creighton star most recently played in the league during the 2021 season when he was a member of the Houston Rockets and averaged 5.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks per contest while shooting 41.4% from the field in 15 games.    

Recently, Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype reported that Patton had signed a deal with the Shanxi Loongs.

Justin Patton signs with Shanxi https://t.co/dF5fdS4Z6s

— Sportando (@Sportando) September 12, 2023

Despite being the 16th pick in the NBA Draft, Patton has only played in 22 NBA games for the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves.   

His career averages are 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest while shooting 40.4% from the field and 25.0% from the three-point range. 

In addition to his time in the NBA, Patton has also played in the G League and has career averages of 11.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.0 blocks per contest while shooting 49.5% from the field and 30.8% from the three-point range in 83 games. 

.@Timberwolves assignee Justin Patton with the power for the @iawolves! pic.twitter.com/lo89zHuff3

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) December 9, 2017

Since Patton is only 26 years old, he could return to the NBA or the G League at some point in the near future.

Last year, he played for Cholet Basket and averaged 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 63.5% from the field and 58.3% from the three-point range in 28 games.