2019 NBA Mock Draft: Full first round as lottery nears
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38. . SG. Kentucky. Keldon Johnson. 16. player
Age: 19
Height, Weight: 6-foot-6, 211 pounds
Slash Line: .463/.381/.703
Season Averages: 13.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.2 3PM
Keldon Johnson at No. 16 closes in on the run of two-guards or wings that will inevitably consume the first part of the opening round. He is sold, perhaps the safest pick of the previous bunch, but what does that mean for his ceiling?
Johnson’s only season in school had a smooth 38.1 percent on three-point shots, and 46.3 percent overall is fine. However, his 3.2 outside attempts per game for 1.2 makes may not translate well, especially if teams ask him to shoot more. Free throws are a concern, as well, with just a 70.3 percent clip.
Still, this is one of 2019’s most athletic players, and a 6-foot-6, 211-pound frame will inevitably entice the NBA teams who don’t want to wait for one of these 19 or 20-year-olds to bulk up.
The Orlando Magic already have athletic players across the board, including Mohamed Bamba, Jonathan Isaac and Aaron Gordon. Adding Johnson to this group only makes it bigger and faster and offers more for their future, which seems bright after a playoff appearance.
Johnson is also a plus defender, despite a wingspan not much longer than his height.
This is out of the New York Knicks’ range, but Johnson can still sneak into the lottery, since there in nothing concrete for the order of a handful of these players.