2019 NBA Mock Draft: Getting familiar with the top of the 2019 class
G/F. Kentucky. Keldon Johnson. 6. player. 38.
Johnson at the outset of the season to me seemed a physically gifted defensive wing prospect who was relatively average as an offensive talent. He’s blown that meek expectation out of the water in his first 12 games at Kentucky.
The 19-year-old missed both his 3s at the McDonald’s All-American game over the summer but has started the college season 19-44 from deep, good for 43 percent. He’s scoring 21.3 points per 40 minutes without sacrificing some of the hustle plays that made him intriguing at the high school level. Johnson’s 1.3 offensive rebounds per game and (average) steal creation help him create easy points but it’s the shooting that really stands out.
All eyes will be on Johnson’s free throw percentage throughout the year to help project his NBA shooting ability. Free throw success and 3-point volume are the other two indicators outside of pure 3-point efficiency that can indicate what kind of shooter a prospect will be at the next level. Johnson is shooting just 71.3 percent from the line but hasn’t been hesitant putting up triples. Time will tell if this is an early-season hot streak or a bigger development in his game.
Magic general manager John Hammond lives for players like these. He also basically can’t afford to stuff the big man rotation any further. Johnson could appeal as an eventual replacement for veterans Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross and Jonathon Simmons, none of whom ought to have a long-term spot on this roster. Simmons is already reportedly on the trade block, meaning a wing like Johnson in the draft becomes more likely by the month in Orlando.