Bleacher Report has listed 5 potential busts in the NBA Draft and a Kentucky Basketball player has unfortunately made the list.
Keldon Johnson is listed the 3rd player of 5 on the list.
Keldon Johnson looks the part with his solid 6’6″, 211-pound frame and athleticism. He passes the eye test from a physical perspective, which may hint at lower risk to some teams.
But will his game translate?
He showed minimal ability to create his own offense, raising questions as to whether coaches will want to play him as a guard. Johnson totaled just six field goals all season out of isolation and pick-and-rolls combined. His 10.5 assist percentage is red-flag low for a perimeter player.
Johnson’s power and aggression suit him when he attacks downhill, but he hasn’t demonstrated convincing finishing instincts around the basket (53.2 percent), even struggling in transition (1.017 points per possession, 49th percentile).
And though shooting 38.1 percent from three seems encouraging, he only converted 1.6 threes per 40 minutes and made just 32.7 of his triples during conference play. Based on his non-shooter status in high school, plus this year’s small sample of made jumpers, a 70.3 free-throw percentage and a drop-off in accuracy during the final two months, caution signs should pop up.
His best shot is the runner (25-of-58) around the key, which will be useful. But for a wing, poor creating and playmaking ability will put pressure on his jump shot, and I’m not sold it will be accurate enough. The 20s would be a safer range to draft Johnson than the lottery.
Read “Biggest Potential 2019 NBA Draft Busts” by clicking here.
