NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Narrowing down the picks after lottery, combine
By Phil Watson
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Kentucky. Keldon Johnson. 18. player. 100. . SG/SF
Keldon Johnson brings a lot to the table as an offensive player, with a big-time first step off the bounce combined with hitting 38 percent from 3-point range as a freshman at Kentucky.
He’s got good size at 6-foot-6 and 211 pounds to guard either 1s or 2s and has a build that is ready-made to play the 2 at the NBA level.
However, despite being a good shooter from long range, Johnson can be reluctant to pull the trigger and can bog the offense down in the process. He can also tend to over-penetrate and get himself stuck in traffic down low rather than recognizing open shots along the way to the block.
Johnson also needs to slow down at times as he can over-aggressive himself into mistakes that end with wild layup attempts. He’s slow on the catch-and-shoot release as well, something that will have to improve.
He has a lot of upside and if he can find that balance between taking the open 3s that are there and looking to drive, Johnson could become an offensive force by using his deep shot to open driving space.
Johnson shares one trait with young Nets forward Rodions Kurucs, as well, in that he is very good on straight-line drives to the rim, but doesn’t have a lot of wiggle or good instincts when the play goes horizontally.