2021 Draft Prospect: Keon Johnson

[luciano-davidwesley]

He's production is inferior to most other players in our range but his athleticism is tantalising. I'd rather Jalen Johnson but I like Keon as a swing for the fences pick if Jalen is gone when we pick.

He's definitely a project and a risk though.

[JMAC3]

I highly doubt he makes it to 11 just because of how much upside he has. He didn’t shoot the ball extremely well in college but for those saying his form is broken or something clearly haven’t seen him enough.

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[driveandkick]

Keon is undoubtedly my guy for us at this point. We need plus defenders, and his competitive energy would also be a really nice addition to our squad. There are questions about the shot, big ones at that, but any player you get at 11 is going to have some sort of significant question marks. If Keon becomes a solid shooter which could happen I think his ceiling is really, really high. I like him considerably more than Bouknight for example.

[JMAC3]

Keon Johnson

Pros
Elite athlete, explosive in tight spaces
Dunks anything close to the rim
Really good cutter
Really good footwork understands how to use pivots inside 10 feet to open up his jumper
Tenacious defender
Jump shot has good form, the left hand looks like a good guide hand, shoots on balance with good lift
Elite body control and speed shows in the open court
Great passion, can tell he wants to win

Cons
Right Hand dominate
Only 6-5 with a 6-7 wingspan so really should project as 2 Guard.
Production not great for a top 10 pick- scored in single digits in 12 of 27 games.
Doesn't get to the line at an elite level
Rebounding numbers aren't very good considering his jumping ability
Needs to expand range out to the three point line, shoot too many long twos and only hit 27% of threes.
His handle isn't great for a player that is going to play shooting guard.

Role he play for Hornets.
Stopper on wing, can guard 1-3.
His cutting would pair well with LaMelo.
Elite lift on his jump shot, makes him a threat to become a midrange assassin at some point in career, something LaMelo lacks.
Adds much needed athleticism between LaMelo and Gordon at the 2 spot.

[KingCat]

His lack of a great first step diminishes a lot of his athletic upside for me

[MPM]

don't want.

[amcoolio]

Do want. Hasn't been coached. Will do wonders in NBA open space and with NBA training. We need someone with his "**** you" attitude on this team, especially on defense. Defense will be contagious.

As far as first step, I don't think it is bad. Again he just started playing basketball and his athleticism is crazy so I think he can be molded.

[Snidely FC]

In an article titled, Best Team Fits for 2021 Draft's Most Polarizing Prospects, Mike Schmitz/EPSN+ taps CHA as an intriguing landing spot for Keon Johnson:

What makes him polarizing?

Johnson is a bit outside the box as a prospect given the fact that he's not the most advanced ball-handler or shot-creator at 185 pounds, but he will be one of the most explosive players in the NBA from day one and can impact the game all over the floor with his instincts and motor.

With that in mind, Johnson isn't the type of prospect you simply draft high, hand the ball to and ask to save the franchise. His incredible upside is most likely to be maximized if he goes somewhere that values the little things he does well right now -- finishing, cutting, rebounding, defending, moving the ball -- and gives him the necessary time to sharpen his skill.

Think of a guard version of Patrick Williams or Isaac Okoro. Neither prospect was overly polished on draft night, but the Bulls and Cavs bet on their athletic gifts and approach to the game when evaluating the type of player each can become. Johnson's serious approach and winning impact will surely buy him time to grow into his game, as long as he lands in the right situation.

Intriguing fit: Charlotte Hornets (11th overall)

The draft's bounciest leaper, Johnson would greatly benefit from a situation where he can stick to his strengths as a transition finisher, slasher, defender and ball-mover early in his career, giving him time to eventually tap into his incredible upside. While Toronto, Golden State and San Antonio would also be great fits for Johnson, Charlotte is an intriguing dark horse, in part because the Hornets aren't financially committed to any young guards not named Ball past next season, either.

Johnson would mesh perfectly alongside a transition playmaker like LaMelo Ball, who has played a huge role in re-energizing Miles Bridges, a rim-rattler like Johnson, with his full-court dimes. Head coach James Borrego has also shown a willingness to play three-guard lineups, which wouldn't put too much pressure on Johnson to generate the majority of a team's half-court offense, an area where he's still evolving.

Given Ball's size at 6-8, Johnson could defend point guards -- likely his best defensive position at 6-5, 186 with a 6-7 wingspan. An underrated spot-up shooter, Johnson would be able to add value as an occasional floor-spacer, straight-line driver, cutter and post-up scorer on offense, while learning from one of the best passers in the game in Ball. Given Charlotte's youth movement, Johnson would also have the necessary rope to play through mistakes and develop at his own pace.

[BigSlam]

In an article titled, Best Team Fits for 2021 Draft's Most Polarizing Prospects, Mike Schmitz/EPSN+ taps CHA as an intriguing landing spot for Keon Johnson:

With that in mind, Johnson isn't the type of prospect you simply draft high, hand the ball to and ask to save the franchise. His incredible upside is most likely to be maximized if he goes somewhere that values the little things he does well right now -- finishing, cutting, rebounding, defending, moving the ball -- and gives him the necessary time to sharpen his skill.

So if Garuba is new age Biz, does the above make this guy new age MKG?

[JMAC3]

In an article titled, Best Team Fits for 2021 Draft's Most Polarizing Prospects, Mike Schmitz/EPSN+ taps CHA as an intriguing landing spot for Keon Johnson:

With that in mind, Johnson isn't the type of prospect you simply draft high, hand the ball to and ask to save the franchise. His incredible upside is most likely to be maximized if he goes somewhere that values the little things he does well right now -- finishing, cutting, rebounding, defending, moving the ball -- and gives him the necessary time to sharpen his skill.

So if Garuba is new age Biz, does the above make this guy new age MKG?

His shooting is being talked down because he shot 27% from deep, but Bouknight shot under 30% and is going to be an elite scorer day 1? Keon has incredible lift on his shot, he can rise over defenders on his hip and easily shoot over them. His release is very clean looking as well. I hope we bring him in for a workout.

His shot looks nothing like MKG.

[yosemiteben]

Given Ball's size at 6-8, Johnson could defend point guards -- likely his best defensive position at 6-5, 186 with a 6-7 wingspan.

I mean....it's going to take a lot of selling to get me to buy into drafting a wing that ideally won't guard other wings.

[JMAC3]

Given Ball's size at 6-8, Johnson could defend point guards -- likely his best defensive position at 6-5, 186 with a 6-7 wingspan.

I mean....it's going to take a lot of selling to get me to buy into drafting a wing that ideally won't guard other wings.

He reminds me a lot of Jimmy Butler

[LofJ]

Given Ball's size at 6-8, Johnson could defend point guards -- likely his best defensive position at 6-5, 186 with a 6-7 wingspan.

I mean....it's going to take a lot of selling to get me to buy into drafting a wing that ideally won't guard other wings.

It's his weight more than his size that worries me. I'm not sure how impactful he can be on defense when you combine how lightweight he is with his less than stellar size.

I'd be okay with that if he had more offensive skills, but he's also lacking in that area. I want to like him, but the logical part of me is saying otherwise.

[SWedd523]

I don't want any guards who can't dribble.

[Liver_Pooty]

Over the athletically gifted players who struggle shooting and dribbling.

[KingCat]

Get a slightly smaller Kelly Oubre vibe from him