NBA Draft: Pro comparisons for the top 30 prospects in 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 21: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Keon Johnson (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

2021 NBA Draft: 10. Keon Johnson compares to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Just about every team is looking for a 3 and D player. Someone who will focus all of their efforts on stopping or, at the very least, slowing down the opposing team’s best player. On offense, they aren’t expected to do much in terms of shot creation. Simply spot up in the corner and make the open shot.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has played that exact role for the Los Angeles Lakers for the past few years. He hasn’t exactly excelled at it though. Caldwell-Pope struggles to keep a team’s best player in check. In fact, he often gets lit up. He’s more than capable at the 3-point line though as he knocked down over 40% from distance.

Keon Johnson still has a ways to go before these comparisons ring true, but he has potential. At 6’5”, just over 180 pounds, he’s slim for the shooting guard position. But, he’s a solid defender who gets his hands in the passing lane. His 3-point shot didn’t fall the way many would have liked at the University of Tennessee but his stroke looks good and he has time to improve it. Also, much like Caldwell-Pope, Johnson isn’t much of a ball-handler but as long as he can run off screens and knock his shots in, he’ll be more than fine at the next level.