Minnesota Sports Forum

Justin patton out tonight with foot pain. Not good for a big man going forward

Way beyond a guy who wasn't gonna play anyway... after playing only 4 minutes in the previous 84 games... combined.

But I heard a take today about how Isaiah Thomas possibly costing himself $100M last year to play through pain will change the NBA moving forward.

It was from Bill Simmons. And it might have some merit. Thomas did the old-school playing through pain as a warrior bit. It backfired and the team dumped him. Are we seeing the ramifications of that with Kawhi Leonard right now?

AbeVigodaLive wrote:Way beyond a guy who wasn't gonna play anyway... after playing only 4 minutes in the previous 84 games... combined.

But I heard a take today about how Isaiah Thomas possibly costing himself $100M last year to play through pain will change the NBA moving forward.

It was from Bill Simmons. And it might have some merit. Thomas did the old-school playing through pain as a warrior bit. It backfired and the team dumped him. Are we seeing the ramifications of that with Kawhi Leonard right now?

Oh ya patton wasn't going to play. Still worry some to have a guy who had foot surgery, missed half of the year and was on a minutes restriction for most of his G League time.

On the Kawhi and Thomas thing. I think they are correlated. Why risk it. Like teams are going to take the risk with Kawhi unlike Thomas because when Kawhi plays he has little weaknesses unlike Thomas.

I'm fine with Patton not suiting up. Obviously, he wasn't going to play and even if he had a chance of playing, I wouldn't want him to jeapordize his long-term career for the short term. But my concern with Patton is that he might have a chronic foot issue. I wouldn't be surprised if we were to hear at some point that he's schedule for further foot surgery.

Patton just had surgery. No summer league for him

As far as I'm concerned, he's not a member of this team, and I think the team would be better suited to move forward as if he's not going to contribute to this team while he's under contract. It sucks, but that's the reality of the situation

It opens the door WIDE OPEN for Amile Jefferson to compete directly against Dieng next year for PT.

kekgeek1 wrote:Patton just had surgery. No summer league for him

Oh. That's not good.

Any chance we can get Adrien Payne back to replace him?

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:Patton just had surgery. No summer league for him

Oh. That's not good.

Any chance we can get Adrien Payne back to replace him?

Damnit on the foot surgery that's not good. Even if you think the guy may not have been any good this freak injury to a guy that had no injury history just sort of deeds into the classic thing to happen to the Wolves.

I know you are joking but I think Payne's days of playing in the NBA are over with that Michigan state stuff unless he really shows out in Europe. Maybe he can hang out with Jeff Adrian.

WildWolf2813 wrote:As far as I'm concerned, he's not a member of this team, and I think the team would be better suited to move forward as if he's not going to contribute to this team while he's under contract. It sucks, but that's the reality of the situation

It opens the door WIDE OPEN for Amile Jefferson to compete directly against Dieng next year for PT.

I think you are right they can't count on Patton going forward at this point. What does that mean?

1. Dieng could still have a place on this roster even though he probably isn't going anywhere anyway. In 2 playoff games he actually has looked like a worthwhile player. If we could get him looking more like that 3 out of 4 games next year he would be useful and worth a decent (not throw up in your mouth) chunk of his contract.

2. Yes Amile Jefferson could have a legit shot at having a role on this team. If he turns into a good rotation player I t could be a way they make up for the Patton pick if he turns out to be a guy that can't stay healthy.

3. Patton could be a sweetener in trade. Does he have a lot of value? Probably not but some team looking for assets/young players might take a chance he heals up and becomes a nice player for them. If I was a rebuilding team I would take that chance and he has a cheap contract.

4. Could this mean even more priority for the Wolves add another big to this roster either via draft or FA? I know it's a ton of bigs on this team but there is still a level of need including a stretch 4.

Playing the odds...

I don't know if Gibson is gonna be able to pull off another 82 games at career high minutes without getting injured. The odds are against it, right?

Will more minutes lead to a more engaged Dieng?