He just has more skills out on the floor and shooting touch than most 7 footers. I think he's a PF in the NBA, like, for sure.
He's a good shot blocker but his lateral quickness appears to be fairly average. Main thing is he needs to get stronger and in better shape (endurance).
If I had to write down an upside comparison looking at his skillset:
Dirk with more hops/defensive potential.
The last part is why I think he'll be a bigger matchup nightmare in today's NBA at the 5. A lot of Center are still not comfortable defending out to the 3 point line. He has some handles, his shooting potential is there and mechanics are already developed to a certain point. Passing isn't an arbitrary concept to him.
I just don't think he'd be good at defending the good current and next gen PFs. At PF he'd see guys like Davis, Durant, Parker + Giannis, Bosh, Melo, LeBron, Aldridge, Gallinari, Ibaka, Love, Millsap for the first half of his career.
That's just not favorable to guard for extended periods of time IMO.
Pair him with another skilled PF. Skill > Hops, ask the Spurs, Heat, Mavs, C's, Lakers.
Yes. Gobert is a near perfect match. Towns will be an offensive beast with average defense (if he's playing the 4).
That is a LOOOOONG front line.
I don't think he's going to be average at the 4. He'll score 20 but give up 22. (Don't take this literally)