2021 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: How the picks should fall
player. 29. . SG. San Antonio Spurs. Keon Johnson. 12
2021 NBA Mock Draft — 12. Keon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs’ player development under Gregg Popovich is the stuff of legend. With San Antonio finally approaching its first rebuild in two decades, it would make sense to gamble on the highest-upside player left. That is Keon Johnson, who some would argue is the draft’s top athlete.
Johnson already does a lot of good things on the floor. Aside from his acrobatics at the rim, he’s a versatile, high-energy defender with the speed of a cheetah and a 6-foot-7 wingspan. He can hound the point of attack, or fruitfully play free safety. He, Derrick White, and Dejounte Murray would make quite the defensive trio.
On offense, Johnson’s athleticism should naturally yield some production. He can slip backdoor for lobs, or beat closeouts with his explosive first step. That said, the swing skill for Johnson is his jumper. If he can consistently extend his range beyond the NBA 3-point line, then San Antonio has a potential steal.