The Sixer Sense
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Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft: Matisse Thybulle rises, Sixers grab scorer

By Christopher Kline

Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, NBA Draft Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, NBA Draft Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

player. 24. . F. Chicago Bulls. Keldon Johnson. 7

Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft — 7. Keldon Johnson, Chicago Bulls

Keldon Johnson never should have fallen to No. 29, but even the most generous pre-draft evaluations seem to have undervalued him. He spent the summer winning gold in Tokyo, and he now figures to take on an elevated role in San Antonio following DeMar DeRozan’s departure to (coincidentally enough) Chicago. In this re-draft, it’s the Bulls who acquire Johnson’s services.

Defense has been a problem for Chicago recently. Johnson would help a great deal, lending positional versatility to a roster built around mostly one-position stars. Johnson can defend guards, or power forwards. He can switch all over the place defensively, and is a dynamic slasher offensively.

The next step for Johnson is improving his 3-point stroke, which fell at a 33.1 percent clip last season. If he can maintain a higher percentage and volume, he will start and contribute to winners for a long time.