NBA Draft Prospect Watch: Stock up, stock down

Stock Up: Keldon Johnson, Kentucky

Johnson is one of those players, like Porter, who has bolstered the depth of the class by likely joining the second tier of prospects in the back half of the top-10. His performance has been mostly impressive on the defensive end, where he’s shown off his versatility as an on-ball defender, especially against Duke, where he was tasked with defending each of the Big Three as well as Tre Jones throughout the game. His size and upper body strength really make him an impediment on drives, and he proved himself well against Barrett in particular, stoning him on three possessions throughout the game.

Johnson projects as a two-way complimentary wing who provides quality defense and accessory scoring off of a lead ball-handler. He’s looked strong coming off screens and curling to the rim, and his catch-and-shoot jumper is developing.

Johnson’s positional size and defensive skill set are enough to break into the top-10 of this class, and if he can develop his jumper throughout the season, it’s going to be difficult to keep him out of the top five. It’s unlikely he becomes a star in the NBA, but two-way wings are valuable, and that looks like his future at the next level.