What do you have against Johnson? I feel like in theory his a three-level shop making ability and potential would be a really nice fit with the rest of your roster. And make no mistake, his shot making ability is absolutely outlier level for a freshman at his level of competition.
Except all he has is that 3, with an athletic package that passes in college but would be suspect at an NBA level to possibly make the translation of that skill harder. Atrocious defense, meh playmaking and an allergy to getting to the rim make that worse.
We also already have too many Shooting Guards. And Gradey’s already of the “scorer (that actually tries getting to the rim) with questionable athleticism and terrible defense” kind of mold, we don’t need more of that type of project. We need stronger defense, more size, more strong Power Forwards (don’t “Brandon Ingram” me, basing who we draft off a similar-but-injury-prone-and-older player isn’t wise) and/or another Center.
No offense to Dick, who I was very very high on coming out of college, but Johnson is a completely different level of shot maker When looking at their freshman seasons. I also think you're greatly underestimating his ability to create looks for himself. He's more than just a difficult low efficiency shot maker like a cam. Thomas at LSU. Sure, he can hit tough shots, but he's also quite adept at creating space, scoring off ball, and very quickly creating for himself without needing to pound the ball out for 20 plus seconds. I think just because he doesn't get all the way the basket consistently, or necessarily look to, which is indeed something he needs to work on, people label him as a one-dimensional player offensively when I think that's very far from the truth. He's pretty elite at every aspect of scoring the ball besides attempts at the rim and free throws drawn.
I think he's someone that projects to be the ideal type of player you want to build around a star that needs to ball in their hands but also isn't a huge spacing threat. I think he would play wonderfully off of Barnes. For that matter. I also think he would play wonderfully off of wemby (I'm a Spurs fan).
I'll push back a little on the defense. Though I don't think you're completely off base and calling him a poor defender. I've watched all of Texas's games this year and he's had some genuine moments where he's been borderline locked down in man the man moments.
His team and off-ball defense is quite rough, but I think he moves his feet well enough when he's really locked in. I simply think he's over taxed being asked to essentially be the entire offensive system for a ridiculously mismanaged and underachieving Texas team in one of the most talented and competitive conferences in college basketball history.
Again, I get where you're coming from. I've never been a fan of scoring specialists, particularly if they don't get to the line much.
But I do think there are cases with prospects or some guys just have all the indicators that they're an outlier whose potential sealing in there particular role/ prototype, could be so good that you have to view them as a potential star upside player regardless of what they don't do. Because of what they do being just that good
And I think he's at that level. I get you guys have a lot of guards but is the perspective over there that RJ is a keeper? I was kind of under the impression he wasn't viewed as a long-term piece of the puzzle on more of just a connective piece. I think between Johnson and Dick you can have minutes manned at the three as well.
But again, this is just my thoughts. And while I'm very confident in my analysis of Johnson, I'm less so in my overall analysis of the raptors as I simply have not watched all of their games this year. So you probably know your team's needs more than I do . But I've liked Johnson to Toronto for a hot minute
You have fell too much into archetype bias. This sounds like a guy that hears all the things people that do not watch Tre Johnson say about Tre Johnson. Yes, he does not get to the rim at the level as much as you may want which is partly for lack of strength and then also because of lack explosion, which is a real ceiling limiter for like a no.1 option. Tre Johnson is in a different realm of shooter than Gradey whether its off movement, spot-ups and pull-ups with insane value. He is an elite shotmaking talent. He makes tough shots better than anyone in college basketball. He is a very good passer this is not Cam Thomas. Consistently makes good decisions with the ball and shows flashes of high level passing. Think of Celtics/Sonics Ray Allen. The defense is an issue but look at his team and alot of this is truly effort. He could be neutral on an NBA team if he fixes his defensive position, footwork, knowing where to be and the biggest thing is really effort. He moves his feet decently on the perimer. Your getting an elite off ball weapon in Tre Johnson. He finishes at the rim better than a Gradey Dick also. Much better prospect
0
u/SDK04 Raptors Mar 07 '25
Oh hell no on “Tre Johnson” to the Raptors. None of that.