Keon Johnson

There’s some people on here who like him. He’s a hell of an athlete and he shows potential to be a lockdown defender. But he has to work on his shooting and playmaking ability. He reminds me of Jaylen Brown coming out. A smaller version.

Let’s draft that baw that can shoot

There's a lot to like about Johnson, but there's also a lot to dislike. I think Keon's potential defensively is incredibly high, but much like an offensive player that can't defend, what is his value when he's a negative offensively?

A few weeks ago I looked at the last decade of lottery picks of guys who were sub 30% shooters in college that developed into even average NBA shooters, and the list is incredibly short. Kawhi, Jaylen Brown, and Otto Porter I think was it.

So I wouldn't bank on Johnson becoming an even average shooter in the NBA. Not saying it can't or won't happen, but history suggests expecting it to happen is silly.

I didn't watch a lot (any) Tennessee basketball but why does it seem as this Johnson is more highly rated than Springer who is younger and shot much better?

Pels probably aren't looking for kids that need a ton of development. They need to continue to see how Kira, NAW, and Hayes develop


I'm really beginning to believe that if they don't get into the top 4, they are either going to try to trade up or bundle their pick for another player.

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they are either going to try to trade up or bundle their pick for another player.

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They are 99.999999% trading that pick for a veteran as part of a larger package.

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I didn't watch a lot (any) Tennessee basketball but why does it seem as this Johnson is more highly rated than Springer who is younger and shot much better?

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I think Springer's value has perhaps the most fluctuation of any other prospect in this class. I've seen him as high as 6 or 7 on some boards and mocks, but in the 20s on other boards and mocks. Personally I think Springer is a pretty good bet. As you said, he is one of the youngest players in this class and shot the ball really well. And while he's not the quickest or most explosive guy, he seems to be really good at getting to the rim and finishing through contact. One player comp that I saw for Springer was Kyle Lowry and I haven't been unable to unsee it. Not really the highest ceiling guy in the draft, but I think he becomes a well rounded player who can lead a bench unit and spot start like a Jalen Brunson type.

Honestly I think Keon is valued higher because of the "can't teach athleticism" aspect. He can leap with the best of them and has one of the best motors in the class. The question obviously is how far will his shot come, but I imagine teams will try to translate his high motor on the court to him working his butt off of the court to become a respectable enough shooter. Not that I buy it. If you don't see the shot coming around or him becoming an initiator, how valuable is a defense first, high motor 6'5" player?

Personally, I think Keon is in the same tier as Moody, Garuba, Wagner, Kai, Giddey, and a few others. Keon is not one of my favorites for us to pick because those other guys are better fits and/or have similar or higher ceilings in my eyes. In some ways, Keon is redundant with NAW.

We need to draft a point guard, a stretch big, or a 3&D potential wing.

Unless we plan on not having all 3 of Bledsoe, ball, and hart on this team next year, I don't want us to take some high ceiling shooting guard prospect.

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A few weeks ago I looked at the last decade of lottery picks of guys who were sub 30% shooters in college that developed into even average NBA shooters, and the list is incredibly short. Kawhi, Jaylen Brown, and Otto Porter I think was it.

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I think Jaxson Hayes is going to join the small club of guys who learned to shoot after they got into the league.