NBA Mock Draft: Wolves take Minn native, Rockets get lucky

Jalen Johnson is one of the few players that I have a hard time predicting this year. I don’t know where to slot him in mock drafts, nor do I feel like I have a good grasp on how good of a player he is – and that’s because his game is still sort of a mystery coming from out of college.

NBA Mock Draft: Sacramento Kings take Jalen Johnson

You see, Johnson only played half a season at Duke. He opted out mid-season – and I can’t really blame him for that (no one should). You can never fault a teenager looking out for oneself, securing him and his family generational wealth. That said, it just does not make it easy on me as an evaluator.

The thing is, when Johnson was good, he was really, really good. He had a game against Pitt this season that I consider to be the best that any prospect had this season: 24 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks, 0 turnovers. Dominant throughout – although Duke still somehow lost the game.

Now, there’s really two career paths I have that are options for Johnson. He could either become a 3-4 combination (small forward and power forward) where he develops his shooting and perimeter game or could become a 4-5 combination (power forward and center) where he becomes better at skills that most big men have. Johnson has the size and athleticism to fill either role – but I imagine NBA teams will want him to play either – not both.

Johnson has a lot of upside, but I feel like a lot of it may just be part of the unknown.