NBA Rookie Ladder: Ja Morant continues to impress for Memphis Grizzlies

8. Cameron Johnson, Phoenix Suns

8.2 PPG, 3.1 REB, 0.7 AST

Now here’s someone who deserves so much more praise than what he and the Phoenix Suns got on draft night.

Many scouts and evaluators (including myself) scratched their heads when the Suns took him with a lottery pick, let alone in the top part of the first round.

But what Cameron Johnson has done since then is shoot the lights out of the ball with incredible efficiency and an effortless stroke.

He’s converting on 3s and free throws at 39.3 percent and 91.7 percent rates respectively and ranks very good and excellent in the majority of his offensive sets per Synergy Sports, which happen to be spot-up looks and in transition.

One might sit there and question how much value he actually brings to the table if all Phoenix is asking him to do is just stand in the corner and shoot.

Sure he isn’t creating a lot of offense for himself or others, but ball handling doesn’t always have to be the most important linchpin for a wing.

The magnetism effect Johnson has on the opposing defense because of his ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor opens things up for the rest of his teammates, including potential All-Star Devin Booker.

Without shooters like Johnson on the floor, the Suns would be in a much worse spot in the Western Conference.

But what matters is that Johnson is doing the job he’s being asked to do with astounding success and blowing away initial expectations. He should continue to be a mainstay in this ladder moving forward.