Keldon Johnson, affectionately known as “Big Body” for his physical playing style, has steadily carved out a significant role for himself in the NBA, particularly with the San Antonio Spurs. From a highly-touted college prospect to an Olympic gold medalist and a key piece of the Spurs’ rebuilding efforts, Johnson’s journey is one of continuous growth and dedication. This article delves into his career, highlighting his impact, evolution, and what the future holds for this promising young talent.
From College Stardom to NBA Prospect
Keldon Johnson’s basketball journey began with considerable hype, culminating in a standout year at the University of Kentucky. A five-star recruit, Johnson joined a talented Wildcats squad for the 2018-2019 season, where he quickly made his presence felt.
College Career Highlights
Kentucky Wildcats: Johnson showcased his versatile offensive game and relentless motor during his single season at Kentucky.
All-SEC Honors: His strong performance earned him a spot on the All-SEC Second Team and the SEC All-Freshman Team. He was also recognized as the SEC Freshman of the Year.
Key Performances: Johnson delivered several memorable performances, including a 19-point effort against top-ranked Tennessee and a career-high 17 rebounds in a victory over Auburn, demonstrating his all-around impact.
His college career laid a solid foundation, showcasing his ability to score, rebound, and contribute on both ends of the floor, making him an intriguing prospect for the NBA Draft.
The NBA Draft and Early Career with the Spurs
On June 20, 2019, Keldon Johnson realized his NBA dream when he was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 29th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Spurs acquired this pick in a trade that sent Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, making Johnson a symbolic piece of the franchise’s post-championship era.
Initial NBA Season (2019-2020):
This dual assignment allowed him to gain valuable professional experience and refine his game. He played 17 games for the Spurs, averaging 9.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per contest, displaying flashes of his potential.
The Rise of “Big Body”: Becoming a Core Player
From his second season onward, Keldon Johnson’s role with the Spurs expanded significantly, and he began to showcase the traits that have made him a fan favorite and a crucial part of the team’s future.
Statistical Growth and Development
2020-2021 Season: Johnson’s minutes and production saw a considerable jump. He started in 67 of his 69 appearances, averaging 12.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
2021-2022 Season: This season marked another leap in Johnson’s offensive game. He averaged 17.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, improving his three-point shooting to 39.8%. He became a reliable scoring option and a consistent presence in the starting lineup.
2022-2023 Season: A Career Year: Johnson took on a primary scoring role, averaging a career-high 22.0 points per game, along with 5.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He continued to show flashes of his improved playmaking and offensive versatility, demonstrating his ability to attack the rim and hit perimeter shots. His career-high in points came against the Brooklyn Nets on January 17, 2023, where he dropped an impressive 36 points.
2023-2024 Season: In the most recent season, Johnson averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 69 games. While his scoring average dipped slightly from his career-high, his all-around contribution remained valuable. Notably, he transitioned to a primarily bench role during this season, showing his adaptability and willingness to contribute in whatever capacity the team needed. He finished the season strong, leading the Spurs with 23 points in one of their final games.
Contract and Financial Details
This commitment solidified his long-term future with the franchise and reflected the team’s belief in his potential and continued development.
Contract Length: 4 years
Total Value: $74,000,000
Guaranteed: $74,000,000
Average Annual Salary: $18,500,000
For the 2024-25 season, Johnson is set to earn a base salary of $19,000,000. This contract is seen as a potentially valuable asset for the Spurs, given Johnson’s age, skill set, and potential for further growth.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Keldon Johnson’s game is characterized by his relentless energy, physical approach, and evolving offensive repertoire.
Strengths
Powerful Driver and Finisher: Johnson excels at attacking the basket. His “Big Body” nickname is well-earned, as he uses his strength to absorb contact and finish through defenders. He’s a runaway freight train once he gets a head of steam.
Improved Perimeter Shooting: Over his career, Johnson has significantly developed his three-point shot, becoming a legitimate threat from beyond the arc. This improvement has opened up his driving lanes and made him a more versatile offensive player. He’s become a potent catch-and-shoot threat.
Relentless Motor and Hustle: Johnson plays with incredible intensity and effort on both ends of the floor. He constantly dives for loose balls, crashes the offensive glass, and makes hustle plays that don’t always show up in the box score.
Scoring Versatility: While known for his downhill attacking, Johnson has also shown growth in his mid-range game and ability to score off the dribble. His finishing craft and body control have improved, allowing him to score in different ways.
Offensive Rebounding: His physicality and effort translate into strong offensive rebounding numbers, often creating second-chance opportunities for the Spurs.
Leadership and Mentality: As a more experienced player on a young Spurs roster, Johnson has embraced a leadership role. He is known for his dedication to improvement and his positive influence on the team.
Weaknesses (Areas for Continued Growth)
Off-Ball Defense: While he brings defensive intensity, Johnson can sometimes lose track of his man off-ball or struggle with consistent defensive rotations. This is an area he has acknowledged and is actively working to improve.
Playmaking Consistency: While showing strides in his passing vision and decision-making, particularly with simple reads to corner shooters or bigs, his advanced playmaking out of pick-and-roll situations is still developing.
Rim Finishing Against Elite Bigs: Despite his strength, he sometimes struggles to finish efficiently at the rim against the league’s top shot-blockers and interior defenders.
Screen Navigation: His power athlete build can sometimes make it challenging to navigate screens effectively on the perimeter, leading to issues guarding quicker guards.
Role with the San Antonio Spurs
Keldon Johnson has been a cornerstone of the San Antonio Spurs’ youth movement. While his role has shifted, particularly with the arrival of Victor Wembanyama, his importance to the team remains undeniable.
Primary Scorer (Past): In the 2022-23 season, Johnson was the primary offensive option for the Spurs, shouldering a significant scoring load.
Versatile Forward (Present): With the growth of other young talents like Devin Vassell and the arrival of Wembanyama, Johnson has embraced a more versatile role, often coming off the bench. This showcases his team-first mentality and adaptability. He continues to provide valuable scoring punch, rebounding, and defensive energy.
Veteran Presence for Young Core: Despite being relatively young himself, Johnson is one of the more experienced players on a very young Spurs roster. He serves as a valuable example of hard work and dedication for his teammates, helping to set the tone for the team’s development.
Off-Ball Threat: His improved three-point shooting makes him an excellent off-ball threat, capable of spacing the floor and creating driving lanes for others, especially Wembanyama.
His transition to a bench role in the 2023-24 season saw a slight reduction in his minutes and production, but he continued to deliver impactful performances, often leading the second unit in scoring. This adaptability underscores his value to the team’s ongoing rebuild.
Olympic Gold Medalist
One of the most significant achievements in Keldon Johnson’s career came in 2021 when he won a gold medal with Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in 2021 due to the pandemic).
Joining Team USA: Johnson was initially part of the USA Select Team, training with the main Olympic roster. Due to injuries to Kevin Love and health and safety protocols for Bradley Beal, Johnson, along with JaVale McGee, was named to the official Olympic roster just before the games began.
Contributing to Gold: While he played limited minutes, his inclusion on the roster and his contributions in practice were a testament to his talent, energy, and the respect he had earned from the coaching staff, including Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who was the head coach for Team USA. This experience provided him with invaluable exposure to elite competition and further fueled his growth.
The Future of Keldon Johnson
As the San Antonio Spurs continue their rebuild around Victor Wembanyama, Keldon Johnson remains a vital component. His work ethic, two-way potential, and willingness to embrace different roles make him an ideal complementary piece. Whether starting or coming off the bench, his energy, scoring punch, and developing all-around game will be crucial for the Spurs’ ascent. With his prime years ahead of him, Keldon “Big Body” Johnson is poised to continue growing and making a significant impact in the NBA for years to come.
FAQs
What is Keldon Johnson’s current contract with the Spurs?
Keldon Johnson signed a 4-year, $74 million contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs in July 2022. This contract is fully guaranteed and will keep him with the team through the 2026-27 season.
How did Keldon Johnson perform in the 2023-2024 NBA season?
In the 2023-2024 season, Keldon Johnson averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 69 games. He predominantly played a role off the bench, showcasing his versatility and willingness to adapt to the team’s needs.
What is Keldon Johnson’s role with the San Antonio Spurs now?
With the emergence of other young talents and the arrival of Victor Wembanyama, Keldon Johnson has transitioned into a valuable versatile forward, often coming off the bench to provide scoring, rebounding, and energy. He also serves as a veteran presence and leader for the young roster.
To read more, Click Here
