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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://cdn.nba.com/teams/legacy/www.nba.com/magic/sites/magic/files/jalen1_20210719.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1027174"/><figcaption>OrlandoMagic.com&#8217;s Josh Cohen analyzes 2021 NBA Draft prospect Jalen Johnson.

What&#8217;s Inside:
NBA Comparisons
Strengths
Weaknesses
Best College Performances
</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://cdn.nba.com/teams/legacy/www.nba.com/magic/sites/magic/files/jalen2_20210719.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1027175"/><figcaption>NBA Comparisons
 
Maybe a bit of a reach, but there is some Scottie Pippen in Johnson. The body type, skillset, versatility, energy and instincts are analogous to the Hall of Famer, although it will be a tall order for the former Duke standout to achieve that kind of success. Ben Simmons (transition game), Aaron Gordon (athleticism/movements) and James Johnson (aggressiveness/attack style) are other players he draws comparisons to.</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://cdn.nba.com/teams/legacy/www.nba.com/magic/sites/magic/files/jalen3_20210719.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1027176"/><figcaption>Strength #1
 
Johnson is one of several 6-foot-8-or-taller hybrid players with floor general qualities projected to go high in this year’s draft. The others are Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Franz Wagner and Josh Giddey. All are excellent playmakers. When comparing them, Cunningham is the craftiest and possesses the best footwork and jumper; Barnes is the strongest and best defender; Wagner is the savviest in pick-and-roll; Giddey is the flashiest; and Johnson, granted he only played in 13 games for the Blue Devils before deciding to leave college to prepare for the NBA Draft, is the most athletic and best straight line-driver.</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://cdn.nba.com/teams/legacy/www.nba.com/magic/sites/magic/files/jalen4_20210719.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1027177"/><figcaption>Strength #2
 
Going deeper into his playmaking, Johnson made several outstanding passes at Duke, especially in transition when he was able to use his speed, agility and astuteness while initiating fast breaks. Pushing the pace is what the 6-foot-9, 220-pounder loves to do, and he’s exceptionally good at surveying the floor when his team has a numbers advantage in the open court. Considering he’s a high flyer when he gets a full head of steam and effective scoring on the move, defenders have to pick their poison when guarding him. If they give him space and dare him to shoot or stop on a dime (in transition), he will whip a pass to an open teammate. If they crowd him, he will dash right by a flat-footed defender.</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://cdn.nba.com/teams/legacy/www.nba.com/magic/sites/magic/files/jalen6_20210719.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1027178"/><figcaption>Strength #3
 
By no means is he an offensive juggernaut, but the 19-year-old born in Wausau, Wisconsin uses his size and length to create scoring opportunities for himself in the half court. He has long strides on his drives, can attack going left or right, is ambidextrous as a finisher and looks very coordinated when he explodes inside. He was very efficient in college, shooting 52.3 percent from the field.</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://cdn.nba.com/teams/legacy/www.nba.com/magic/sites/magic/files/jalen5_20210719.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1027179"/><figcaption>Strength #4
 
Johnson has excellent hands, instincts and anticipation on the defensive end. Fairly often at Duke, he poked the ball away from an opponent or stepped into a passing lane and caused a deflection. And he will make opponents pay for their sloppiness. Few in this draft, if any, are better at racing the other way after coming up with a steal and creating easy scoring chances for his team.</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://cdn.nba.com/teams/legacy/www.nba.com/magic/sites/magic/files/jalen7_20210719.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1027180"/><figcaption>Weaknesses
 
The 44.4 percent 3-point shooting is deceiving. He only took 18 threes at Duke and doesn’t have a clean-looking jumper, which is also noticeable at the free throw line where he made just 63.2 percent of his attempts. He doesn’t get to the stripe very often, either. While a fairly aggressive offensive player, he never seemed willing to absorb contact on his drives. Turnovers were a bit of an issue with the Blue Devils as well. Although a good defender because of his instincts, laterally he isn’t the quickest despite possessing supreme athleticism and he lacks the strength necessary to prevent post players from backing him down.</figcaption></figure><figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://cdn.nba.com/teams/legacy/www.nba.com/magic/sites/magic/files/jalen8_950_20210719.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1027181"/><figcaption>Best College Performances

Nov. 28, 2020 vs. Coppin State: 19 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and four blocks

Jan. 19, 2021 at Pittsburgh: 24 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and four blocks

Jan. 26, 2021 vs. Georgia Tech: 18 points and six rebounds
</figcaption></figure>

2021 NBA Draft Prospect Analysis: Jalen Johnson

2021 NBA Draft Prospect Analysis: Jalen Johnson