Patton will be waived by the Rockets, Kelly Iko of The Athletic reports.
With Christian Wood healthy and Kelly Olynyk also in the fold, the Rockets apparently feel that it's not worth it to keep Patton around. He appeared in 13 games and averaged 5.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 19.0 minutes. After being drafted 16th overall in 2017, Patton has struggled to get his career off the launchpad. He's only played 22 total games across four different franchises. It wouldn't be surprising to see him end up on another rebuilding squad this season, but fantasy managers shouldn't have expectations of him being a consistent part of a rotation.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Exits rotation
Rotowire
Patton (coach's decision) went unused Monday in the Rockets' 120-110 loss to the Grizzlies.
Even with Christian Wood (illness) missing his second game in a row, Patton was unable to find a spot in head coach Stephen Silas' rotation. Recent trade acquisitions Kelly Olynyk (34 minutes) and D.J. Wilson (12 minutes) have both quickly moved ahead of Patton in the pecking order at center, leaving the 23-year-old no better than the fourth man on the depth chart when the team is at full strength.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Moving to bench
Rotowire
Patton will shift to the bench for Wednesday's game against the Warriors, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
After starting six of the last seven games, Patton will make what's likely a permanent move to the bench as Christian Wood (ankle) returns from a long-term injury absence. The former first-round pick showed a few flashes of his rebounding and shot-blocking potential, but he's unlikely to be of much use in fantasy as long as Wood can stay healthy.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Uninspiring in loss Tuesday
Rotowire
Patton finished with just two points (1-4 FG, 0-4 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists and one steal in 18 minutes during Tuesday's 119-107 loss to Atlanta.
Patton's minutes took a hit in the loss and with Christian Wood (ankle) a chance to return on Wednesday, his time as a fantasy consideration could be coming to an end. Of course, there is a chance the Rockets take a cautious approach with Wood which could allow Patton to see the floor enough to at least be viewed as a streamer on certain nights.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Blocks three in start
Rotowire
Patton delivered seven points (3-10 FG, 1-5 3Pt), six rebounds, three blocks and two assists in 23 minutes during Sunday's loss to the Celtics.
The 23-year-old has been playing heavy minutes lately as the only healthy big man on the roster. He's been providing consistent numbers over the past six games, averaging 7.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.7 blocks while playing 27.6 minutes per game in that span. Until Christian Wood (ankle) returns to the lineup, feel free to stream Patton if you need blocks, rebounds and steals along with low-end points.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Blocks three shots in loss
Rotowire
Patton had seven points (3-10 FG, 1-5 3Pt), six rebounds and three blocks in Sunday's loss to Boston.
Making a third straight start, Patton couldn't find his touch offensively, but he continues to supply solid defensive numbers in the absence of Christian Wood (ankle). Once Wood returns, Patton should sink back into a lesser role, but for now he's a potential streamer for his steals and blocks potential alone.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Quality defensive line in loss
Rotowire
Patton finished with 13 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt), five rebounds, three steals, one block and one assist across 29 minutes Friday in the Rockets' 114-99 loss to the Jazz.
With Christian Wood (ankle) still on the mend and P.J. Tucker having left the team, Patton stepped in for his second straight start at center. The 23-year-old has shown an ability to cobble together defensive stats when given extended run, but he'll likely fall below 20 minutes most nights once Wood is back in the fold. Per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas is optimistic Wood could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday against the Hawks, so Patton may only be in store for one more start (Sunday versus the Celtics).
Patton will start Thursday's game against Sacramento, Adam Wexler of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
Patton will receive his third start across the last four games as the Rockets deal with some depth issues up front. In his two previous starts, Patton averaged 8.0 points on 46.2 percent shooting, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals across 28.9 minutes per game. With P.J. Tucker's status very much up in the air going forward, Patton could hold down the starting center spot until Christian Wood (ankle) returns.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Shifts to bench
Rotowire
Patton will come off the bench Wednesday against the Nets, Craig Ackerman of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.
The 23-year-old started the past two games at center for the Rockets, but coach Stephen Silas will start small Wednesday with Jae'Sean Tate and P.J. Tucker in the frontcourt. Patton should still be plenty involved since the Rockets have only eight available players.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Blocks two shots in starting role
Rotowire
Patton had 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five rebounds and two blocks in 26 minutes during Sunday's 134-85 loss to the Grizzlies.
Patton shifted into the starting lineup, presumably as a means of matching up with the size of the Grizzlies. All-in-all, we would have to say that it didn't work given the team was defeated by almost 50 points. Despite being the only active center on the roster, his role is far too unstable to warrant a roster spot in 12-team leagues.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Set to start Sunday
Rotowire
Patton will be in the starting five for Sunday's game against Memphis, Cayleigh Griffin of ATT SportsNet reports.
The journeyman signed a two-way deal with the Rockets just over a week ago, and this will be his first start in a Houston uniform. In three appearances off the bench thus far, Patton has totaled 15 points, seven rebounds and five blocks in 43 minutes. He could be set for a slight increase in minutes Sunday, though Patton remains a fairly risky DFS play, even at his low salary.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Logs 21 minutes off bench
Rotowire
Patton registered four points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3PT), six rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes off the bench in Monday's 120-100 loss to the Bulls.
After recently joining Houston on a two-way deal, Patton was immediately thrust into the rotation for a Rockets squad short on center depth. Though his minutes were elevated due to the blowout, Patton churned out an intriguing final line, with his blocks production standing out in particular. The Rockets could soon get DeMarcus Cousins (heel) back from injury, but he's still expected to be on his way out of Houston. Meanwhile, Christian Wood (ankle) appears unlikely to return before the All-Star break, so Patton should have a chance to continue seeing double-digit minutes as a backup center in the short term.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Could be in line for minutes Monday
Rotowire
Patton may be in line for minutes at center Monday night against the Bulls, as the Rockets will be without both DeMarcus Cousins (heel) and Christian Wood (ankle).
Patton joined the Rockets on a two-way deal over the weekend, and there's a good chance he'll be thrust into action right away Monday night. The general expectation is that P.J. Tucker (quad) will start as the small-ball center, with Patton available off the bench if coach Stephen Silas wants to go with a more traditional big man at the five. A first-round pick out of Creighton in 2017, Patton's career has been derailed by a series of injuries, which have limited him to just nine career NBA appearances.
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Rockets' Justin Patton: Joins Rockets on two-way pact
Rotowire
Patton signed a two-way deal with Houston on Friday, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The 23-year-old was playing in the G League bubble with the Westchester Knicks, but he should now shift over to the Rockets' affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Patton exclusively played in the G League in 2020 and averaged 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists. According to Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, the Rockets recalled Patton from the G League when announcing the signing Friday.
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Justin Patton: Back in action Monday
Rotowire
Patton (ankle) posted eight points (3-8 FG, 1-1 FT), five rebounds and an assist across 14 minutes in Monday's 135-117 loss to G League Rio Grande.
Patton missed the last two games with an ankle injury, but he returned to action in his typical role. The 23-year-old garnered more playing time with G League Wisconsin last season, when he averaged 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
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Justin Patton: Sits out with ankle injury
Rotowire
Patton (ankle) didn't suit up in Thursday's win over G League Greensboro, freelance basketball journalist Adam Zagoria reports.
Patton logged 15 minutes in the G League opener, producing six points and four rebounds. However, he's sidelined with an ankle injury, and it's uncertain when he'll return to the lineup.
