2021 Draft Prospect: Jalen Johnson

[LofJ]

From what I've read he decided to go to IMG academy in FL for his senior year, but changed his mind because he was homesick. He said something similar while at Duke via social media. He was also dealing with an injury that is best managed with rest.

I get being a little concerned that he has trouble being away from home. But we should keep in mind that the last year and a half has not been normal in the slightest. Also, when you're a professional making a ton of money you can afford to bring 'home' to you.

That said he'll be on the road a lot and away from friends and family, that's part of being an NBA player. I'm not sure if he can handle that, but it's the job of NBA front offices to figure that out. If you think he can adjust draft him, if not best to take someone else.

[yosemiteben]

This guy feels like the classic case of a top tier talent that will drop primarily for non-basketball reasons. I wouldn't mind him at all at 11.

[JMAC3]

He seems like another very good open floor player that would thrive playing our fast paced style. He is a legit 6-9, 7 foot wingspan, biggest hands in the draft and shot 44% from three on limited attempts.

He needs to work on his offensive game, but what freshman doesn't, I like the overall physical makeup. He also had a high pedrigree as the 13th best incoming freshman in the country according to 247 and espn.

[countryboi]

these are the type of players you take at 11, he has top 5 talent but as Yose said he dropping for non basketball reasons. I think this kid is hard to pass on.

[KingCat]

To the people that are saying they see him as a big and not a wing; do you think Bam Adebayo us a adequate comparison to him? Pretty sure they have similar measurement.

[Snidely FC]

To me his style seems more akin to Michael Porter Jr who has similar measurements than Adebayo

[Hornet Mania]

To me his style seems more akin to Michael Porter Jr who has similar measurements than Adebayo

Yeah, I only a saw a few of his games at Duke but he sure seemed more like a wing in a PF's body rather than a slightly undersized C.

The only similarity he has to Bam is that he should theoretically be able to switch well on the perimeter despite his size, but I don't think he'll ever control the paint.

[LofJ]

To the people that are saying they see him as a big and not a wing; do you think Bam Adebayo us a adequate comparison to him? Pretty sure they have similar measurement.

I was thinking of Ben Simmons and Draymond Green as comparisons.

[JMAC3]

I am not sure any of these guys are the perfect comparison for him, but I see more Julius Randle, Tobias Harris, Jeff Green play style in him. I think he is a 4 who can do some of the things that small forwards do.

[amcoolio]

Doesn't he have defensive ability though. Just depends on if the effort is there

[JMAC3]

Doesn't he have defensive ability though. Just depends on if the effort is there

Small sample size but he averaged 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per game which is pretty solid

[SWedd523]

I feel like he's less springy than I'd like for a wing. Doesn't seem to have a strong fast twitch gene where he can change directions quickly or with much finesse.

To me that puts him in that same body as Kyle Anderson, Michael Porter, Julius Randle.

His ability to score and work out of the triple threat is going to be what opens his game up

[KingCat]

He doesn't have much of a first step nor a semblance of a mid range game. Makes me believe he will never be a very good half court scorer.

[luciano-davidwesley]

I think he can be a bit like Patrick Williams. He's a bit less explosive than Williams but longer.

We need to vet him thoroughly to try to find out why he left Duke early and if we think he'll be a hard worker on his game. If he passes those character tests I think he's a no brainer to pick if available at 11.

[JMAC3]

He is in Charlotte for a solo workout today. We must have a decent amount of interest in him.

[Rays Pompadour]

He is in Charlotte for a solo workout today. We must have a decent amount of interest in him.

Good to see them doing their homework. Multi-positional, multi-skilled player with a high IQ and, by most accounts, a quality kid. He'd be a fine choice. And I do think he's a wing, not a post player, though he'll be taller than our starting frontcourt.

Such a weird game sometimes.

[BigSlam]

Is he better than Miles or PJ?

Or Gordo?

[LofJ]

Is he better than Miles or PJ?

Or Gordo?

At the same stage of development he's more skilled than both Miles and PJ were.

[JMAC3]

Is he better than Miles or PJ?

Or Gordo?

We are picking 11th, I would not expect anyone to be better than a former all-star who averaged 20ppg last year.

He is bigger than they are at 6-9 with a 7-foot wingspan, biggest hands in the draft. Looks to be a really skilled passer for his age, so I think there is a chance he can play some SF. Also, big enough to play some small ball 5 at times.

I know forward doesn't look like a huge need for us at first glance, but imagine a world where we start Ball-Terry-Gordon-PJ-Holmes/ Noel and then bring in two athletic forwards off the bench with Miles and Johnson. He showed some rim protection in the small sample size at Duke too.

[BigSlam]

Is he better than Miles or PJ?

Or Gordo?

At the same stage of development he's more skilled than both Miles and PJ were.

That’s good to know - although I think you might be selling the skills of Miles while at MSU a little short.

I don’t know a lot about him (other than underperforming and then waking out on Duke), it just seems that what he brings might be a little redundant and not necessarily an upgrade over what we already have?