Texas freshman Tre Johnson is one of, if not the, most skilled in the 2025 draft class.
Tre Johnson is the BEST Freshman since Kevin Durant😤
Versus UCONN:
24 PTS🔥
2 REBS💪
4 ASTS😮💨#NBA #HookEm #CBB 🏀 pic.twitter.com/w9ItcNuQeZ— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) December 9, 2024
A 6-foot-6 and 184-pound shooting guard, Johnson is currently averaging a SEC-high 21.1 points per game. What makes his production even more impressive is his efficiency, as he’s shooting 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 43.8 percent shooting from three. He doesn’t make much of an impact outside of his scoring ability, his contributions as a facilitator and defender muted. Nonetheless, he’s still a bit more well-rounded than given for.
At this point, he’s likely still outside of the projected top-three.
Duke freshman forward Cooper Flagg hasn’t had a tight grip on the No. 1 spot but might still be the safest bet. Rutgers freshman forward Ace Bailey has been a mixed bag but is still a No. 1 contender. Rutgers freshman guard Dylan Harper has usurped Baylor freshman guard V.J. Edgecombe as a consensus top-three prospect. In fact, he’s made a great case to be selected first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
However, Johnson may be playing well enough to overshadow the contributions of prospects like BYU freshman guard Egor Demin and Illinois freshman guard Kasparas Jakucionis. Demin and Jakucionis are jumbo playmakers who can do a bit of everything. Their blend of size, skill, and international intrigue gives them a certain appeal to draft scouts. Nonetheless, neither has shown the type of shot-creation or scoring instincts that Johnson has. In a league that often places a premium on players who can get their own buckets, he could have a higher ceiling than either Demin or Jakucionis.
Ultimately, Johnson could be selected in the top five next summer. However, he should be no worse than a top-10 selection if the 2024-25 season ended today. With that being said, there are multiple franchises currently projected to have a pick in the 4-10 range that could have interest in him.
The team where Johnson fits best, both now and the future, is the Portland Trail Blazers.
Scorching-Hot Texas Shooter Tre Johnson A Perfect Draft Fit For Blazers
Right now, it’s unclear who the Blazers consider to be part of their future backcourt.
2018 No. 24 pick Anfernee Simons is a more potent scorer than 2023 No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson, yet he’s even more streaky. Furthermore, he’ll be on the final year of his contract in 2025-26. 2022 No. 7 pick Shaedon Sharpe is arguably their most gifted player but has been injury prone. Barring an extension, he’ll also be on an expiring contract next season.
There’s one common denominator with each of these aforementioned players though and it’s their inefficiency from beyond the arc. In fact, each of Simons, Henderson, and Sharpe are shooting below 33 percent from three-point range this season. This is a significant factor in the Blazers ranking 25th in three-point percentage (.333) and 26th in offensive rating (106.8) this season.
In drafting Johnson, Portland will definitely be able to boost those numbers.
Just as importantly, they’ll give themselves a wide array of options moving forward. Next season, the Texas native could start between Simons and Sharpe or Henderson and Sharpe. He could start between alongside Henderson and Simons. He could even come off the bench in a sixth man-like role. Furthermore, the Blazers will have a ready-made replacement for Simons or Sharpe if they’re unable to unwilling to retain them long-term.
