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NBA Draft 2019: 7 prospects that could thrive as future role players

By Jacob Zinkula

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: De'Andre Hunter #12, Kyle Guy #5 and Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrate their teams lead late in overtime against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: De'Andre Hunter #12, Kyle Guy #5 and Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrate their teams lead late in overtime against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 05: Cameron Johnson #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team against the North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 05, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 97-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 05: Cameron Johnson #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels directs his team against the North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 05, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 97-69. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Cameron Johnson – North Carolina

Draft status: Johnson has graduated and will be in the draft.

Draft projection: Although fairly under the radar from an NBA draft perspective most of the season, I’ve seen a lot more positive chatter lately regarding Johnson. The late first round looks like a reasonable place for him at this point.

Role Player Projection:

Strengths: At 46% from three, Johnson shot phenomenally this past season at UNC. Like Guy, he played off-the-ball for the most part, which should make the transition to the NBA seamless from a role perspective. He had a knack for getting open and working off-the-ball to generate easy buckets. At 6-9, Johnson has NBA size that should enable him to play the 4-position without getting bullied. It will also help him comfortably get his shot off.

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Weaknesses: Although he has good size, Johnson is a little rigid as athlete. He’s never been regarded as a great defender, and I’m not sure he has the athleticism to mold himself into an above average defender at the next level. If he’s only passable on defense, he’ll have to be a clear plus on offense to be “star role player.” Johnson hasn’t provided a whole lot off the dribble, so his shooting may have to be lights out to get to this point.

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