Keldon Johnson is still primed for the highest accomplishment of his career

Over the past five years, a lot has changed in San Antonio. Many players have come and gone, and now the team is spearheaded by three players who weren't on it just a few years ago. But amid all the moving parts, there's been Keldon Johnson.

Johnson has been San Antonio's rock. He has stuck with the team through thick and thin and has continued to polish his game and tailor it towards what the team needs. Now, all his hard work has paid off with the best season of his career and a worthy spot in the Sixth Man of the Year race. As the team has elevated itself into contention, KJ has vaulted himself to the pinnacle.

Keldon Johnson has evolved into an irreplaceable player

For the bulk of Keldon Johnson's career, it was hard to pinpoint exactly what kind of player he was. During the 2022-23 season, KJ was the Spurs' leading scorer and received abundant shot volume. While he wasn't all that flashy or polished, he was getting the ball in the hoop. The points were great, but they didn't equate to much of anything in the win/loss column.

Since that career-high scoring season, his role as the team's top scorer diminished, and he was pushed down into a complimentary position. This transition was the best thing that could have ever happened to him.

Keldon was never meant to be a team's leading scorer or a guy who just gets buckets. He is so much more than that, and now he is proving it.

This season, Keldon Johnson has found the perfect role for himself. While he is not the 20+ points-per-game scorer he once was, he is benefiting the Spurs infinitely more. Whether it is his improved shot diet, increased efficiency, superb offensive rebounding, or the hype he produces that ignites the entire stadium, KJ has turned into a can't-miss role player.

Keldon Johnson is rightfully in the Sixth Man of the Year race

As a result of Keldon Johnson's improvements, he is being awarded a shot at the biggest accomplishment of his career. Currently, the Spurs dynamo is second in the Sixth Man of the Year race, trailing only Minnesota's Naz Reid. Depending on how the last 25+ games play out, KJ has a real shot at this achievement.

Call me biased all you want, but Keldon is the clear winner. As previously explained, the veteran guards' impact goes beyond the statistics. While Naz Reid may have more points per game, he doesn't provide the same punch that Johnson does.

With a singular stroke, KJ can turn a basketball game on its head. When he makes a three, it seems like everybody is jolted with energy. The same goes for his offensive rebounding. It is the spark that Keldon provides that makes him the epitome of a great sixth man.

Regardless of what happens in the ballots at season's end, we should all be celebrating Keldon Johnson's accomplishments this season. It is incredible to see a young man completely turn his career around in a way that leads to winning basketball. His unselfishness has made him who he is. I can't wait to see what's in store for him as we approach the playoffs.