Keldon Johnson fit with the Spurs remains absolutely baffling to analysts

Catch-and-shoot threes and off-ball cutting to the basket. That's what we need to see from Keldon Johnson this season, and that's what he gave us last night. As John Hollinger called him on the Zach Lowe podcast, Keldon is an "on-ball scorer," but that's not really what the Spurs need from him, so where does he really fit in for the long term with this San Antonio ball club? That's what he needs to show this season.

Johnson doesn't create for others either. So, that's another shortcoming of his game that could ultimately leave him on the outside looking in. He's not a connector. Right now, his game consists of drives to the basket, usually starting from the perimeter, or grabbing an occasional offensive rebound and putting it back in. It's just not going to be enough anymore.

Last night's preseason opener was a great first step in changing that narrative. He scored an efficient 16 points on 6-8 from the field, and made the lone three-point attempt he tried. Johnson even snatched himself a steal and blocked a layup attempt from an unsuspecting Loong-Lion. Maybe a KJ breakout season is incoming.

Keldon Johnson can change the minds of critics

Johnson shot 30% on catch-and-shoot threes last season. That's going to be the money shot for him, so that's not going to get it done this year. He's been in the league for six years, so the scouting report on him is pretty finite at this point. He wants to drive to the basket. Defenses will play off of him, as a response, and encourage him to take that shot, so he needs to make them pay for it.

Don't make the game more difficult by driving into traffic. Shoot the shot with confidence, and hopefully, make it. It's not like he's never done it before. The former Kentucky star shot 40% on catch-and-shoot opportunities in the 2021-22 season. It was so long ago that most fans have probably forgotten, but it happened. The question is what happened after that, and why couldn't he sustain it?

Well, that actually matters less than just fixing it at this point. San Antonio has their deepest roster in a long time, and that could mean complications for KJ. Julian Champagnie can space the floor, so he's going to get minutes. Same for Devin Vassell, and they're both better defenders, though both could stand to improve in those areas.

There's more fluidity to their game, as they don't usually get tunnel vision on their way to the basket. The team just drafted Carter Bryant and added Lindy Waters III, so that's even more competition for the longest-tenured player wearing silver and black.

The writing has been on the wall since they moved him to the bench in December 2023. KJ has to evolve his game now, or risk being shipped off right as the team is finally turning things around. That would be unfortunate for him, but it's the reality anyone can see based on what the team needs and what he has provided. This is truly a make-or-break season for him, but he's off to a great start.