NBA Draft: The New Orleans Pelicans should avoid Keon Johnson

The New Orleans Pelicans would have either the 10th or 11th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft if it were held today, though that could change depending on how they finish out the season.

The Pels are still just two games behind the Warriors for the last play-in spot, so could overcome them and end up in the playoffs if every single thing broke their way.

That’s not likely to happen, especially with the injuries they are facing, so it is not too soon to consider who the Pels might draft if they end up in the lottery again.

One guy who I’ve repeatedly seen in mock drafts for the Pelicans is Keon Johnson, a shooting guard out of Tennessee.

Johnson had a very good season and has some intriguing NBA skills, but he is the exact type of prospect the New Orleans Pelicans need to avoid.

New Orleans Pelicans: Why to avoid Keon Johnson in the NBA Draft

I wrote earlier that the Pelicans need to focus their draft on guys who already have a recognizable NBA skill and avoid players who have high “upside” but don’t have a defined role.

After drafting Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr., the Pels have plenty of upside talent. Now they need to surround them with players who can already do something well, namely play defense or shoot from long range.

Here is a partial scouting report on Keon Johnson from NBA Draft Room:

"“He needs some time to refine his ball-handling, shooting and play-making skills but his elite athleticism and rock solid frame give him a nice NBA ceiling. At this point he drives the ball mostly to the right but he does so effectively and with a lot of success.”"

Hmm, an elite athlete who can’t dribble, pass or shoot. Sound like anyone we know? The New Orleans Pelicans already have a similar player in Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who is finally starting to show what he can do consistently.

They definitely don’t need another guy with high-upside “potential” who does not yet have a recognizable NBA skill.

The Pelicans are close to being a good team and need to spend the offseason looking for the right types of players to complement Zion Williamson.

They need defenders on the wing, they need shooters and they need guys who give effort on the defensive end. Keon Johnson could end up being some of these things, but right now, he is another “tweener” project player who will need years to develop.

Keon Johnson may end up being a very good player in the NBA but the Pels need players who have the skillset to help them now and he’s probably not the guy.