Keyontae Johnson Could Be Oklahoma City's Next Two-Way Home Run
Keyontae Johnson was a draft day gem for Oklahoma City. At No. 50, the Thunder reeled in one of the draft’s top NCAA Tournament performers and a top talent in college basketball. Johnson’s age and health concerns caused him to slip, but with the Thunder’s growing young core, he could easily become the next two-way success story in Oklahoma City.
The Kansas State forward averaged 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He transferred from Florida after collapsing on the floor in one of the scariest college basketball incidents the community has ever seen. After that, he was held out the rest of the year before being given the green light for the Wildcats. He made the most of his opportunity to say the least. It came full circle in the Elite Eight, when Johnson played a full 45 minutes and dropped 22 points and six rebounds on 10-of-18 shooting. He was one of the key reasons Kansas State made it to the Final Four.
“Keyontae is a player we feel can contribute right away,” said Acie Law IV over the weekend, Oklahoma City’s director of amateur evaluation. “That helps him, his experience and the resiliency that he's shown and his talent. We feel like that's a player that can come in, and obviously want to get him here and get him to work and we feel like that's a player that can help us."
Oklahoma City has made the most of its two-way contracts, setting the standard for the rest of the NBA. Lu Dort, Lindy Waters III, Aaron Wiggins and Eugene Omoruyi are all four prime examples of how to turn bargain contracts into serious contributors.
Wiggins turned himself into an every night player for the Thunder and Dort has been an invaluable defensive prospect throughout Oklahoma City’s rebuild. He was rewarded with a five-year, $87.5 million contract just years after his first two-way deal.
At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, Johnson can play anywhere on the court for the Thunder and fits into the positionless basketball mold the team is working towards. He’s an elite athlete and has extra experience in college, giving him a leg up on a path to early playing time in the NBA. If he makes the most of his minutes with the Blue, Johnson can fill multiple needs with the Thunder. His career 3-point percentage of 38.9% would instantly be one of the best on the team in Oklahoma City. He does all of the little things right and could easily turn into one of Josh Giddey’s favorite lob threats.
Getting a college basketball star at No. 50 was a steal for the Thunder. As a team that’s been able to transition two-way contracts into difference makers, it’s easy to envision a player like Johnson being next in line.
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