What the experts say
ESPN [$] (Jonathan Givony): 21st
The Ringer (Kevin O’Connor): 24th
Sports Illustrated (Jeremy Woo): 24th
Sporting News (Chris Stone): 23rd
The Athletic [$] (Sam Vecenie): 23rd
The Stepien (Composite Rank): 31st
The Step Back (Brandon Kleen): 28th
Quotes:
Placing him 25th on his most recent Big Board, Jeremy Woo of Sports Illustrated noted Johnson’s elite level shooting skills and great size as a couple of reasons why he may able to contribute upon making the jump:
"“Johnson enjoyed a fully-healthy, breakthrough season in which he emerged as UNC’s best player, sustaining an impressive 45% three-point clip and playing his way into the first-round conversation. Although he’s just turned 23, he’s developed that potentially elite trait and should be a readymade role player. Johnson is slender and not especially shifty, so he’ll have some limitations defensively, but his height and ability to get his jumper off should be enough to keep him on the floor. Continuing to improve attacking closeouts and adding strength long-term will help He’ll make sense for playoff teams in need of shooting.”"
Similarly, ESPN’s Mike Schmitz labels Johnson as the best shooter in the draft and his prolific shooting and intangibles all increase the likelihood he makes an instant impact for a team picking outside of the lottery:
"“A late bloomer and fairly unheralded high school recruit, Johnson now arrives as the best shooter in the draft. At close to 6-9, Johnson made the seventh-most 3s among prospects in our top 100, finishing with a better percentage (45.3) than every prospect both ahead of and behind him on that list. Praised for his basketball IQ and work ethic, Johnson displayed steady improvement and production (16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists in 29.6 minutes) on one of the most electric offenses in the country, making him one of the higher-floor prospects set to be selected outside of the lottery.”"