2021 NBA Mock Draft — 9. Keon Johnson, Sacramento Kings
Keon Johnson is a pogo-stick athlete who didn’t play basketball full-time until high school. With a sky-high trajectory, elite physical tools, and the work ethic to tie it all together, the Kings can rest easy knowing Johnson has one of the highest ceilings in the draft. Sacramento is still not built to win consistently, so a big swing is in the cards.
Where Johnson can thrive right away is defensively. At 6-foot-4, he’s still slight of build, but should add muscle over time. He has length and quickness to spare, and has no problem locking in at the point of attack. The Kings could easily get away with Johnson next to De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton.
On offense, the Kings can afford Johnson time to develop in the second unit. He wouldn’t overtake Buddy Hield or Harrison Barnes anytime soon, but he’s already an impressive finisher and slasher with the tools to become a dynamic straight-line scorer if he can tighten his handle and smooth over his jump shot.