Spurs forward Keldon Johnson was apparently almost drafted by the Cavaliers. Johnson discussed his near-selection in an interview with Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter video link). The Cavaliers instead opted to draft Dylan Windler with the No. 26 pick in the 2019 draft, while Johnson was ultimately drafted by San Antonio with the No. 29 pick.
Injuries have limited Windler’s availability across two NBA seasons. Windler missed his entire 2019/20 rookie season with a leg injury. In just 48 games, Windler holds career averages of 4.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 1.1 APG over 14.5 MPG.
“I was expecting to go the Cavs,” Johnson said. “Going back to draft night, I just feel like it’s a blessing I landed with the Spurs.”
The 22-year-old small forward out of Kentucky is averaging 14.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 2.0 APG for the Spurs. He boasts a slash line of .469/.410/657.
The 13-10 Cavaliers have enjoyed a breakout 2021/22 season, currently good for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. One can only imagine what Cleveland would look like had the club selected Johnson instead of Windler, though in so doing the team may have played its way out of the third pick in the 2021 draft that netted them breakout rookie big man Evan Mobley out of USC.
There’s more out of the Central Division:
- Bulls head coach Billy Donovan expects the NBA will adopt stricter COVID-19 policies with the winter holidays on the horizon, writes Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago is currently missing guard Coby White and forward Javonte Green due to COVID-19 diagnoses. ‘‘I think that’s happening,’’ Donovan said. ‘‘I don’t think there’s any question that’s happening. My guess is stricter policies than there have already been this year. ‘‘[The holidays], people are going to be around family. The way it’s moving right now, it’s getting a little stricter. For us right now it’s a lot stricter because we have two players that are positive.’’
- Bulls rookie guard Ayo Dosunmu, a second-round draft pick out of Illinois, has earned rotation minutes in the season’s first quarter. K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago examines how Dosunmu is adjusting to playing at the NBA level. “I think I’m getting better each game,” the rookie said. “One thing I love about Coach Donovan is he shows so much tough love to me. After every game, whether I play a lot or I don’t play a lot, he always calls me over and gives me words of encouragement. Sometimes it may be good. Sometimes it may be bad. I take the constructive criticism and try to help myself become a better player because I know that he obviously sees something in me if he’s coaching me hard.”
- The end result of the 2021/22 season for the Pistons will be measured more by player improvement than by the year-end win-loss tally, opines Rod Beard of the Detroit News. The youth-oriented club, led by forward Jerami Grant and 2021 top pick Cade Cunningham, is currently the bottom seed in the East with a 4-18 record.
I project the Bulls arrive to 1 seed by next Saturday
Bulls GM and my twin brother Donovan did a great job
Bulls was “uncurable” two years ago
I e we wondered how the off season acquisition of new talent would gel. I was skeptical at best. My hat’s off to Donovan. He’s done a great job of coaching. Additional kudos to front office for their vision and aggressiveness. The Bulls are fun to watch again for the first time in a long time!
Yes, it was only a short time ago that I was severely doubting my allegiance to this Bulks franchise..
Which, I’m 33 now, and have been a diehard Bulls fan ever since I was 4-5..Even still, it was getting unbearable, and I’ll admit I was one more God awful season without anything to look forward to away from just giving up.
The new front office and coach Donovan have rejuvenated this team, and reinvigorated my fandom!!
Im happy if bulls arrive to be no 1 seed next saturday,but we lost carushow,coby,and javonta. And i dont see a news about carushow’s injury.really love his game play.
I doubt Cavs are sweating the Sheldon pick. Mobley is a HR for them. They are just fine. What I’m really surprised. Is how well they are playing now. With missing players to injuries. Also still like Okoro to do well.
How much credit should Donovan get?
He did great in college helping Miami.
Did great in spells in OKC but ever took them to the promise land.
Then had a long dry spell in which Russ looked to have most the control.
He then avoided the rebuild and jumped to a want to be contender in Chicago.
They have done great so far but does that come down to having a good coach?
Arthur K that guy they took from the nuggets? He had big wraps on him.
Or the players themselves? DeRozan, Ball and Caruso have been great additions but LaVine has continued to be solid.
donovan won back to back at florida.
Yeah that’s what I meant when I said Miami.
I knew he did something great in college in that area
with joakim, corey brewer, horford, and mo speights.
I was the happiest guy in Chicago when the Bulls took Ayo. Maybe the 2nd happiest after Ayo himself. Now if they can figure out a way to get Kofi next year, Would be like winning the lottery 2 times in a row.
Kofi is obviously a strong man, but he has no range at all. Kofi can’t throw a beach ball in the ocean. Not so sure that Kofi will do well in the NBA. I’m an Illini fan. Glad that the Illini and coach Underwood are doing so well.
AYO SILVER, AWAY!