Keldon Johnson, probably the most talked about Spur in transfer talks over the past two seasons, is on the hot seat in San Antonio. This offseason, transfer talks surrounding Johnson have been at an all-time high. However, the Spurs have yet to find a suitor for Johnson, meaning he could spend another season in San Antonio. If that is the case, Johnson faces a difficult Task.
Just two years ago, Johnson was showing signs of star status, averaging over 20 points per game. Last year, he had a significant drop-off in production (Victor Wembanyama’s impact notwithstanding), proving he may not be a central point of this rotation. That fact was reinforced after Johnson began coming off the bench last season.
Johnson will likely continue to play mostly on the bench next season. This could benefit the Spurs, as Johnson’s skill set is similar to that of a successful sixth man in the NBA. His high energy and ability to make the occasional timely play could make him a valuable player. However, if Johnson does get playing time, he will need to prove he can contribute to this team. His consistency also needs to improve, as he is known for being a total mess on some nights. Johnson also needs to get rid of his often sloppy play on offense.
Johnson is a good basketball player, there’s no doubt about that. Still, San Antonio might not consider him in their long-term plans, and if he isn’t traded in the coming months, he’ll be under pressure to play at a high level every night. If he can’t hold up his end of the bargain, the Spurs could let Johnson go for next to nothing.
