2019 NBA Mock Draft: The dust clears from the NBA trade deadline
12. player. 86. . G/F. Kentucky. Keldon Johnson
Johnson is in the middle of a dry spell that doesn’t worry us whatsoever. The 3s are still going in despite the fact Johnson hasn’t scored 20 or more points since Jan. 19. Johnson’s struggles can be traced instead to his lack of free throw attempts as well as the ascension of teammates P.J. Washington and Tyler Herro during Kentucky’s 10-game winning streak. So while it’s discouraging to see a prospect’s numbers go down, there’s no need to worry about Johnson’s future.
Kentucky coach John Calipari told media last week Johnson is “probably just feeling pressed about individual performance, and then you just focus on your guy and your area and what’s happening with you. It just takes time for them to understand and trust that when you lose yourself in the team, it makes you even better.”
“In the game of basketball, when you’re totally worried about yourself, it’s hard for anybody to help you get better, to make easy plays for you,” he added. “And you make the game difficult for other people. Now, that being said, he’s made unbelievable strides and he’s getting better game-to-game, and he’s got a great attitude about it and he knows where he’s got to get better.”
Johnson has never had problems passing or being part of the Wildcats’ offense. He was clearly more heavily involved early in the year when they needed his shot-making more, but Johnson can and will return to help Kentucky this season and play a role more suited to his skills and what he will ultimately bring to his NBA team — knockdown shooting and defensive versatility.