NBA draft 2019: Top 3 options for Portland Trail Blazers to select with 25th pick

2. Keldon Johnson – Kentucky

Keldon Johnson, the 13th ranked high school recruit out of Oak Hill had a one and done year at Kentucky where he put up numbers of: 13.5 points per game, (38.1 3PT %) 5.9 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, and 0.8 steals per game.

Johnson came to college known as a scorer and didn’t disappoint, as he scored double figures in 26 of his 37 games last season, and posted 20 or more points in seven of those games in route to becoming the teams leading scorer.

Where he excels is using his 6’6 211 pound frame to put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim showing really good touch as he showcased a smooth floater a numerous amount of times, but also showcased his athletic ability with some thunderous dunks this season.

His ability to finish through contact is also something that stood out to me, it didn’t matter if he was smothered or falling down, Johnson found a way to con-torque his body and play with the angles to bank the ball in.

He can score well from inside, but can also hurt you with his outside shot as well, as he hit 38 percent of his three-point attempts.

Where can he improve?

What promise Johnson shows on offense, he doesn’t on defense. He had just under a steal a game last season at 0.8, and had a putrid 0.2 blocks per game for his size. Johnson keeps that high energy he plays with on offense on the defensive side of the ball, and shows us effort, but it didn’t turn into results. My excuse is that he’s young and raw. With more knowledge in the NBA and time, Johnson should project with his size to be a serviceable defender.

When watching tape, another small gripe for me was his lack of mid range jumpers. I mentioned his ability to fight through contact, and his nice floater game, but if Johnson threw in more jumpers, I feel as if he could score points a little easier.

BUT, in today’s NBA the mid range jumper is dying, and his ability to get to the basket and the free throw line, along with knocking down three’s he will have a good role carved out for him in the league, especially if he can become a good defender.

The only REAL problem scouts have? Faith in his three-point shot.

You may be saying, “WHAT?!?! He shot 38% from three!”

Indeed he did. While he shot 38 percent in regular season play, the three-point percentage dipped to 32.7 percent in conference play and he made less than one three a game at 0.9. Scouts also question his shooting motion and whether or not he can get his shot off as easy against better and more athletic competition.

NBA Comparison: Malik Beasley

This seems like a slap in the face to Johnson, considering I compared the man before him to Draymond Green, but keep in mind these are loose comparisons, and Malik Beasley is no slouch.

Take a look at his college numbers, they’re pretty similar to Keldon Johnson’s:

15.6 ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.5apg, & 0.9spg. He even put up the same putrid 0.2 blocks per game and also had around four free throw attempts a game in his lone college season with 3.8. His .387 three-point shooting percentage is pretty similar as well.

Malik is 6’5 190 pounds, where as Johnson is 6’6 211. Malik appears to be slightly more athletic, but isn’t as strong as Johnson.

I know Beasley isn’t as good of a comparison because he’s not as well known like the Draymond’s of the world, but in just his third season for the Nuggets he put up 11.3 points a game along with 2.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists on .402 shooting from three. Something I can see Keldon Johnson producing by year three.

The Blazers need added depth at the wing position, and Keldon Johnson could provide them that help and could be a solid contributor off the bench right away.