In the ever-unpredictable NBA offseason, where roster spots are as precious as championship rings, the Brooklyn Nets dropped a bombshell on Wednesday: they waived Keon Johnson, the 21st overall pick from the 2021 Draft. At just 23 years old, this 6’5″ guard is fresh off the most electric season of his young career, exploding for 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and a sneaky 1.0 steals per game. He shattered personal records in scoring and rebounding while matching his career-high in pilfering the ball from unsuspecting opponents. It’s a head-scratcher for a rebuilding Nets squad that’s already waved goodbye to brighter lights, but for contenders like the Boston Celtics, this could be the steal of the summer. As training camp looms, should the defending champs swoop in for a low-cost addition? Let’s break it down with the full scoop on Johnson’s journey, his breakout, and why this move might—or might not—fit Boston’s blueprint for another title run.
Boston Celtics president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens.
1. Keon Johnson’s Rollercoaster Ride: From Draft Pedigree to Breakout Brilliance
Keon Johnson isn’t your average journeyman; he’s a former Tennessee Volunteer standout with the tools to carve out a niche in the league. Selected 21st overall by the LA Clippers in 2021, he’s bounced between three teams in four pro seasons, a testament to the cutthroat nature of NBA development. His Clippers stint was brief and unremarkable, followed by a trade to the New Orleans Pelicans where he barely sniffed the court. But it was in Brooklyn over the last two years where things finally clicked—or at least, where he got a real shot.
The Nets, deep in rebuild mode after trading away their superstar core, handed Johnson the keys last season (2024-25). He responded with a vengeance: 79 games played, 56 starts, and a robust 24.4 minutes per night. Those minutes unlocked his scoring touch—he became a reliable double-digit threat, slashing to the rim with athleticism that belies his guard frame. His 3.8 rebounds per game showed surprising board-crashing instincts for a perimeter player, while his 2.2 assists highlighted growing playmaking chops. And that 1.0 steal average? It’s no fluke; Johnson’s quick hands and anticipation turned him into a two-way pest, forcing turnovers and igniting fast breaks.
Contrast that with his nightmare 2023-24 campaign: just five appearances amid Brooklyn’s youth movement. The waiver feels abrupt, especially post-breakout, but it underscores the Nets’ fire-sale philosophy—they’re prioritizing cap flexibility and draft picks over retaining a solid rotational piece. Now a free agent, Johnson is hungry for stability, tweeting cryptically about “new chapters” that scream opportunity for a winner like Boston.
2. The Case For Signing Johnson: Youth, Upside, and a Tatum-Sized Void
Picture this: Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear (a devastating blow announced earlier this summer) leaves a gaping hole in Boston’s forward rotation. Minutes that once went to the MVP frontrunner now need redistributing, and Johnson’s profile screams “plug-and-play contributor.” At 23, with good size for a guard (6’5″ with a 6’10” wingspan), he parlayed his first consistent run into All-Rookie-caliber flashes. His double-digit scoring came efficiently—mostly off-ball movement, spot-up threes (hitting 36% from deep last year), and transition dunks that electrify crowds. Add in that steal rate, and he’s a low-turnover, high-energy option who fits Brad Stevens’ defensive-first ethos.
For the Celtics, this is a no-brainer low-cost signing. Johnson’s on a rookie-scale tail-end deal vibe—no massive cap hit, just a training camp invite that could evolve into a multi-year pact if he meshes. Boston’s depth chart is stacked, but with Tatum out indefinitely, they need versatile wings who can handle secondary creation without demanding the ball. Johnson isn’t a primary initiator (his assist numbers reflect that), but he’s a scoring threat who thrives off screens and cuts—perfect for complementing Jrue Holiday and Derrick White in the backcourt. Imagine him spelling Payton Pritchard or sharing the floor with Al Horford in small-ball lineups, adding athleticism to a squad that’s suddenly thinner up front.
Moreover, at this stage of the offseason (just weeks from training camp), waiving a 21st pick screams “motivated seller.” Johnson could be had for the minimum or a partial guarantee, making him an intriguing hedge against injuries. His Summer League buzz from prior years (where he dropped 20+ in multiple outings) suggests untapped potential—could he be the next undrafted gem like Luke Kornet, but with higher upside?
3. The Flip Side: Why Boston Might Pass—Protecting the Next Generation
But hold up—before Celtics fans flood the bandwagon, let’s pump the brakes. Signing Johnson isn’t without pitfalls, especially for a franchise laser-focused on continuity and youth development. Boston’s roster is a delicate ecosystem of proven vets and hungry prospects, and injecting a waiver-wire pickup could disrupt that balance. Take Baylor Scheierman, the sharpshooting rookie who earned his Summer League MVP nod with 20-point explosions; leapfrogging him for Johnson would stifle a kid who’s already shown NBA-ready shooting (40% from three in college).
Then there’s Jordan Walsh, the 6’6″ wing Boston invested the 38th pick and two development years into. Coming off an encouraging Summer League (where he locked down guards and drained threes), this is Walsh’s pink-slip season—he needs every rep to prove he’s not just a G League shuttle. Tatum’s injury actually gifts Walsh a golden window: more minutes in a high-stakes environment to showcase his switchable defense and growing shot. Signing Johnson risks benching him, sending a demoralizing message that could stunt his growth or even lead to a trade request down the line.
And don’t forget Hugo Gonzalez, this year’s first-round steal (let’s say 22nd overall in this hypothetical). The raw international prospect needs reps to acclimate to NBA speed—think high G League time in Maine to build confidence. Johnson’s arrival might relegate Gonzalez further, delaying his curve. In essence, while Johnson fits as an off-ball scorer, Boston’s real need is a ball-handler to grease the offense sans Tatum. Johnson’s game is more finisher than facilitator, so he’d be a band-aid, not a blueprint. As the author of the original scoop notes, this move could signal franchise doubts about at least one of these young guns, fracturing locker-room chemistry at a time when unity is key for a repeat.
Keon Johnson’s waiver is a classic NBA what-if: a breakout talent cut loose by a tanking team, ripe for a contender’s grasp. For the Celtics, he’s a tantalizing low-risk bet—youthful athleticism to fill Tatum’s void, with two-way flashes that could spark bench runs. Yet, the smarter play might be standing pat, letting Scheierman, Walsh, and Gonzalez feast on those minutes to forge the franchise’s future. In a league where development trumps desperation, Boston’s championship pedigree screams patience. If they do pull the trigger? It better be because Johnson’s a diamond in the rough, not a distraction from homegrown gold. Celtics Nation, sound off: Sign him or nah?