Conclusion
Johnson may be the highest-risk player in the lottery, but the rewards could be incredible. Many players like him have overcome effort and technical issues to become two-way forces in the league, and his mix of physical strength, scoring ability, and passing give him unique potential.
A Jalen Johnson who realizes his two-way potential could be a huge asset to this Warriors team. His passing and movement skills combined with quick self-creation work well within the motion offense, and he’d get plenty of transition opportunities. Who better to coach him into a committed defender than Draymond Green?
The Warriors have a good problem on their hands with these draft picks. The presence of James Wiseman and Jordan Poole with two more incoming lottery talents means the cupboard will be full. But a team trying to win while developing four unknown quantities on a 15 man roster is a tight rope to walk.
Is it possible Johnson’s effort spells and off-court concerns make the Warriors write him off? After all, public perception is a factor in draft choices, whether teams admit it or not. After the rough rookie season Wiseman went through, can the Warriors afford another rough adjustment period for a prized draft pick?
It’s impossible to read into the situation and make any assumptions as an outsider, but there was certainly smoke. The main question is if the circumstances created Johnson’s problems, or if Johnson’s problems created the circumstances. It’s entirely possible the tensions of a broken college basketball system, a significant injury and the pandemic made life harder on Johnson than most other prospects. But that’s not for me to say, and it’s for NBA teams to try to find out. Good luck to them.