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Spurs Forward Keldon Johnson Has 'All-Star Upside'
The San Antonio Spurs are lucky to have Keldon Johnson on the team. Not only are they lucky that they drafted him, but they are even more fortunate that Johnson wants to stick around even though the team is in the early stages of a rebuild.
The four-year extension worth $74 million he signed last offseason kicks in for the 2023-24 season, and he's hoping to ensure that he was worth every penny. Considering the trajectory he's been on since he was drafted with the No. 29 pick in 2019, there's a chance that could even be a value contract.
His ascension from measly role player to the highest-paid contract on the team is why he is ranked No. 89 on The Ringer's Top 125 updated rankings.
"Johnson isn’t a household name yet, but Spurs fans have seen him develop from a raw talent who could torpedo his way to the basket into a well-rounded player with All-Star upside," The Ringer writes. "After entering the NBA as a decisive, downhill scorer with average passing vision, he now routinely makes skip passes to corner 3-point shooters or hits floaters and midrange pull-ups. In recent years, he’s even hit 3s off the dribble. And he does it all with great efficiency, taking quality shots within the flow of the offense and delivering on-target passes and limiting turnovers. A Gregg Popovich offensive system requires ball-sharing, and Johnson also excels off the ball as one of the league’s most potent catch-and-shoot threats from deep."
His 22 points per game this past season marked a career-high and made it three straight years where his average grew. But what makes Johnson a great player instead of a good one is his defensive impact.
"On defense, he’s a tone-setter who will dive for loose balls, take a charge, or fly out of nowhere for defensive boards," The Ringer writes. "But just like in college, Johnson still loses track of his man when defending off-ball. Still, that’s a nit-picky weakness when he has so many reliable defensive qualities. Trimming 21 pounds before the 2022-23 season has made him a more shifty defender and slithery driver. And he has the drive to get even better and continue honing his championship-caliber qualities."
As the top dog in San Antonio, Johnson has a unique opportunity to grow even more. At just 23 years old, Johnson will have an opportunity for another big contract or two down the line in his career if his numbers are still at an elite level. He may not be the No. 1 option for much longer as the Spurs accrue top picks, but Johnson probably has the best chance out of everyone currently on the roster to be a contributor for the next great team in San Antonio.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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