Per The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, Kentucky Wildcats swingman Keldon Johnson has worked out for the Boston Celtics ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft. The SEC Rookie of the Year averaged 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.8 steal per game while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from deep last season, his first and only season at Kentucky.
At 6-foot-6, 211 pounds, Johnson is an athletic guard who’s a high-riser on his way to the rim. He is not going to have an issue keeping up with the speed of the NBA game. Though a knockdown jump shooter from deep, Johnson has also shown himself capable of knocking down jumpers from the mid range, a nifty floater and the ability to score in the low post, allowing him to shoot 49.8 percent from within the arc as a perimeter player.
On the other end, Johnson isn’t a player who racks up steals and blocks but he’s a solid defender nonetheless.
The Celtics’ need for off-ball scoring was apparent throughout the 2018-19 season as a number of players were at their best when trying to score off the dribble. Johnson is a capable scorer off the dribble as well, which increases his playability.
However, when Boston sets its rotation for next season, they’ll look to players like Johnson to be the catch-and-shoot three-point threat they needed last season.
Johnson is a player who should be selected in the first round, if not the late lottery, so if the Celtics select him it’ll be with one of their first three picks in the upcoming draft.
