2021 Draft Prospect: Jalen Johnson

[JMAC3]

Another guy who will be in our range most likely.

Seems ultra talented. Left Duke early after covid season/injuries.

Reminds me of Tobias Harris a bit. Biggest hands at combine and measured really well 6-9 with a 7+ foot wingspan.

Probably another stretch 4, which isn't a huge need for us in all honesty.

[LofJ]

If we draft Jalen Johnson we could really commit to a full-time switching defense.

Ball/Graham
Rozier/Martin
Hayward/McDaniels
Bridges/Johnson
Washington/Johnson

[amcoolio]

I wouldn't mind him because I think he can play in the playoffs and the NBA is trending to putting 5 shotmakers/playmakers on the floor over trying to balance a roster or emphasize defense

[wilson115]

Size, athleticism, and fits the way we play. Can play right away because of his defense and so develop. Insurance in case we have to decide between Miles and PJ. I'd have his foot checked out, feel good taking him at 11 if it's nothing chronic.

[countryboi]

I like Johnson alot, we are not as deep at forward as I would like and you can never have enough long wing players

[GiggitySmalls]

I think he has the potential to be on the floor with miles and pj as a small ball 5 he projects to be a better defender than pj and is a better lob threat. He can for sure play the 4, and has the tools to defend the 3. He's a bit taller than pj with a near equal wingspan. He's a dynamic athlete and checks most the the boxes when it comes projecting him as a decent to good shooter. I think he's a higher ceiling Aaron Gordon.

[Rays Pompadour]

Jalen has above average handles and terrific look-ahead. He didn't mesh as well with Coach K's plodding, methodical, half court system as he could have because Johnson wanted to run. That craving would be a good fit next to Melo.

His cut-and-run from the Duke program bothered me, though. Tells me he has too many 'advisors' talking into his ear. There may have been good reason for Johnson to bolt and begin training for the next level, but it just rubbed me wrong and seem self-serving. Is that a good quality for an NBA player to have? I dunno. Makes him hard to root for if that's the case.

I see Jalen Johnson more as a SF as opposed to a PF and definitely has the potential to develop into a quality starter if his defensive skills improve. He'd be a quality selection at 11.

[LofJ]

I think there's a decent chance he's going to fall to us. If the Warriors pass on him at 7 I think he'll be there. He fits our scheme too well to pass on him if that happens.

I really, really like him as a small ball 5. He's a poor man's Ben Simmons, with the upside of not being afraid to shoot.

[JMAC3]

Seems to me these guys are definitely gone by our pick: (6) Cade, Jalen, Mobley, Suggs, Kuminga and Barnes

That leaves:(11) Davion, Keon, Bouknight, Wagner, Moody, Kai, Giddey, Jalen Johnson, Kispert, Sengun and Garuba.

That leaves 11 guys to consider with 4 more of them coming off the board before we pick at 11. I think all are worth considering, but here is how I would classify them.

High Floor, Low Ceiling: Davion, Wagner, Kispert and Garuba

Low Floor, High Ceiling: Keon Johnson and Jalen Johnson

Median Floor, Median Ceiling: Giddey, Sengun, Kai and Moody

Jalen with his height, wingspan, big hands, athleticism and shooting touch makes him the highest chance for superstardom in this range.

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

How many young SF/PF guys does this team need? I'm all for depth, but do you try to trade someone like PJ if you draft JJ?

[JMAC3]

There is a chance he could be better than Miles and PJ and then maybe you make a trade eventually but I don't think it's a bad thing to have versatile forwards.

Do the clippers need to trade one of PG13, Kawhi, Terrance Mann, Marcus Morris or Batum?

Probably not because it is easy to get a bunch of athletic wings that can shoot on the court, can switch on defense.

[JMAC3]

There is a chance he could be better than Miles and PJ and then maybe you make a trade eventually but I don't think it's a bad thing to have versatile forwards.

Do the clippers need to trade one of PG13, Kawhi, Terrance Mann, Marcus Morris or Batum?

Probably not because it is easy to get a bunch of athletic wings that can shoot on the court, can switch on defense.

I know a few people were banging the drum for Hayward to play some 2 guard last offseason. If we lose Monk or Graham that becomes more likely and even more likely if we add another versatile forward like Johnson or Wagner.

Imagine this lineup for defensive switching.

1. Lamelo 6-6
2. Hayward 6-8
3. Miles 6-6 with a 6-10 wingspan
4. Jalen Johnson 6-9 with 7 foot wingspan
5. PJ 6-7 with a 7-2 wingspan

[SWedd523]

How many young SF/PF guys does this team need? I'm all for depth, but do you try to trade someone like PJ if you draft JJ?

I'm a proponent of the "Keep swinging 'til you hit a homerun".

We have what appears to be a homerun at PG. Nowhere else. So don't avoid drafting somebody just because a solid double to the gap is already on the roster.

[SWedd523]

Bigger argument against him is going to be the non-basketball side of the thing.

Major Red Flag for me to quit your team. Should be an Auto-No-Go, but I have no idea what all led to that decision so I can't cast any stones. If he gets picked, I hope they do a thorough looksee

[JMAC3]

I need to do more research on him for sure, but at first glance he looks like he should be a top 10 guy.

I am sure over the next 2-3 weeks we will get a lot more information on character and his story with Duke, but for now I am just going to judge him on talent.

His numbers per game don't look great, but he left 2-3 games early for injury I believe, so if you just look on a per minute basis his production was pretty elite. Evidence here with all the prospects per 36 numbers compared...http://www.tankathon.com/big_board

[Liver_Pooty]

Dude is talented for sure. Also quit on his team. He was wildly inconsistent which saw his minutes decline and then abruptly leaves the team. Duke was also a better team without him on the floor for whatever reason. He is very very talented though.

[LofJ]

I keep coming back to this guy. People look at him as a big wing, but I see him as a 4/5 big (like Okongwu).

I think he's the most talented 'big' in this year's draft after Mobley. He's strong as hell, has good body control, he's great on the boards, and he can pass. If his intangibles check out we shouldn't pass on him.

[GiggitySmalls]

I keep coming back to this guy. People look at him as a big wing, but I see him as a 4/5 big (like Okongwu).

I think he's the most talented 'big' in this year's draft after Mobley. He's strong as hell, has good body control, he's great on the boards, and he can pass. If his intangibles check out we shouldn't pass on him.

Thank you! I keep thinking the same but haven't flat out said it.

[BigSlam]

I heard contrasting opinions on Jalen Johnson, who left Duke midseason. One scout noted that he's just too talented to downgrade, assuming any red flags detected are mostly tied to immaturity. Another scout didn't have Johnson in the first round, noting both unsatisfying background checks and questions about his ability to beat defenders in the half court.

[Snidely FC]

feels like similar dilemma as with Lamelo last year
is he the supreme talent he appears to be or a flake?

his teammates seemed to rally around his decision to opt out

"That's my guy," said Matthew Hurt. "I know he's getting a lot of crap on social media, but he's part of us. He did what's best for him, and we're all proud of him."

DJ Steward said. "He’s getting a lot of backlash for it. But we are supporting him 100 percent on this and we know he’s going to support us as well.”

Coach K corroborated:

The extent of the injury was never disclosed, but Coach K said Monday that Johnson's recovery process was "something that, if it's not done right, and it is being done right, could be a major factor in his career."