Detroit Pistons draft: 2nd-rounder with 1st-round potential

After securing the worst record in the NBA last season, the Detroit Pistons earned the first pick in the second round. While the 31st pick doesn’t guarantee a contributor, it can be a valuable trade piece or an opportunity to take a chance on a player who dropped from the first round.

A lot can happen on draft night, and the Pistons may swing some deals if they can get value for a player they no longer need or see a player they like.

Detroit Pistons draft: Keyontae Johnson

The Detroit Pistons may want to take a look at Keyontae Johnson, a 6-foot-5 wing who helped Kansas State defeat Michigan State to reach the Elite 8. Initially viewed as a first round talent, he’s a tough, physical wing, which the Pistons need, a solid rebounder for his size, and a decent shooter who can push the ball in transition.

The 23-year-old averaged 17.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and a steal per game in his final season at Kansas State while shooting over 51 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. He’s strong enough to defend several positions and can get buckets from all three levels. He’s not super quick, but uses his strength to get where he wants as you can see in these highlights:

Most importantly, however, he showed tremendous mental and emotional stamina to recover from a health scare in December of 2020.

Krysten Peek wrote a profile on Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed on the court while playing for Florida, spent three days in a medically induced coma, and was diagnosed with “athlete’s heart,” an increase in cardiac mass due to systemic training.

According to Peek’s article, Johnson turned down a $5 million insurance payout to continue playing basketball. 20 months passed from his collapse to when he returned to competitive basketball.

What kind of player in their early twenties turns down $5 million to continue playing basketball after losing consciousness and waking up in the hospital?

A young man who loves the game? Someone committed to a vison of themselves and committed to the possibility that they could achieve at a high level? Someone fearless?

I’m not sure I can begin to answer that question, but I’m impressed.

His health is concerning, and any team considering drafting Johnson will do their due diligence. With the seriousness of the situation in mind, teams will also consider the emotional stamina and mental toughness required to work one’s way back from a medical scare of this magnitude.

As a fan who loves basketball, I’ve watched a lot players fail to live up to their potential, players who enjoyed the college and professional lifestyle of a successful athlete, but who didn’t see the game as a career, a serious endeavor that demands as much as it gives.

I doubt that would be an issue with Johnson.