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Toronto Raptors: Recent NBA Draft History of the 29th Overall Pick

By Thomas Waind

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 02: Cory Joseph #6 of the Toronto Raptors yells out instructions as he advances the ball up the court against the Philadelphia 76ers during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on April 2, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 02: Cory Joseph #6 of the Toronto Raptors yells out instructions as he advances the ball up the court against the Philadelphia 76ers during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on April 2, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Jun 20, 2019; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Keldon Johnson (Kentucky) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twenty-nine overall pick to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2019; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Keldon Johnson (Kentucky) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number twenty-nine overall pick to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2019 Keldon Johnson, SF, San Antonio Spurs

2019-20 – GP: 17 PPG: 9.1 RPG 3.4 APG: 0.9 Shooting Splits: .596/.591/.795

Keldon Johnson didn’t get much action for a Spurs team trying to get squeeze the most out of an aging LaMarcus Aldridge-DeMar DeRozan duo. Johnson only played 17 regular-season games for the Spurs, and eight of them were in the Orlando bubble when the Aldridge-less Spurs adjusted by leaning heavily into small-ball rotations.

In the past, the team has been known for adding youth to the peripheries of the team and bringing the youngsters along slowly. But coming off of a year in which the team missed the playoffs for the first time in 22 years, the Spurs are at a crossroads. DeRozan has yet to make a decision on his 2020-21 player options and, even if he does, it begs the question: at what point do the Spurs overhaul this thing?

The 29th overall pick in 2019, Johnson likely doesn’t figure in as a future headliner so much as a high-end role player. He’s an athletic, lengthy, defensively-conscious wing with a promising jumper. The Kentucky product offers some upside and value for the pick. Just 21 years old, look for Johnson to get more minutes and a closer look next season.

2018 Džanan Musa, SF, Brooklyn Nets

2019-20 – GP: 40 PPG: 4.8 RPG: 2.2  APG: 1.1 Shooting Splits: .372/.244/.750
Career (2 Seasons) – GP: 49 PPG: 4.3 RPG: 1.9 APG: 0.9 Shooting Splits: .376/.227/.726

Just as Keldon Johnson is a bit of a project for the Spurs, the Nets are hoping that Dzanan Musa‘s scoring prowess from Europe can translate to the NBA. He’s a unique prospect in that he’s 6’9″ and was known for his ability to score off the dribble. But, after two full seasons in the NBA, he hasn’t managed to crack the lineup full-time yet. It’s only going to be tougher to earn minutes next season with a Nets team looking to compete with a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.