Former Kentucky Basketball star Dakari Johnson is finally getting the NBA Contract he’s worked for.
Dakari Johnson played just two seasons in a Kentucky Basketball uniform. After turning pro after Kentucky’s failed quest of a perfect season. Johnson was a key piece in the success of that team. As part of the platoon system that John Calipari implemented, Johnson didn’t fully get to show fans his true talents. But, since the big man has been drafted, he has held his own in the NBA’s G League.
The Oklahoma City Blue has been the team that Dakari Johnson has called his own. Johnson was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the 2015 NBA Draft. The seven footer will now attempt to make his way to a solid rotation spot among a roster full of stars.
The Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder have made waves recently with the signing of Paul George. The team’s star, Russell Westbrook is the reigning league MVP. Most importantly, for Kentucky Basketball fans, is that now, Dakari Johnson makes three former Wildcats on the team’s roster.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are signing 2015 second-rounder Dakari Johnson to a guaranteed two-year deal, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 21, 2017
Enes Kanter has been making his name known for the last few seasons for the Thunder. Now, along with Kanter, Patrick Patterson has been added to the roster. In addition to those two Cats, Dakari will add more depth in the Thunder front court.
Although Dakari seems to be buried beneath the depth chart with Steven Adams and Enes Kanter racking up most of the minutes, he is finally getting rewarded for his progress. Johnson has a ton of maturing to do. He is still only 21 years old. It seems like he’s been out a Kentucky Basketball uniform longer than that.
A Limited Role?
Most media surrounding the Thunder including Brett Dawson of the Oklahoman seems to think Johnson will still have some work to do to get real minutes.
Lot of questions about Dakari Johnson’s role. He’ll be 15th man. Your 15th man doesn’t play much. Still likely will spend some time w/ Blue.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) July 21, 2017
Johnson still has a long way to go defensively, but he’s improved there. Told me this summer he’s worked with Steven Adams on P&R defense.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) July 21, 2017
The Thunder have signed Johnson to a two year deal. After Dakari has torn the G League to shreds in the box scores, he is finally being rewarded. It’s nice to see the big man get some recognition.
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Last season, Johnson averaged 18.5 points per game. In addition to leading the team in scoring for everyday players, he is also just a fraction of a rebound away from leading the team in that category as well. He will learn even more from the veteran stars that the Thunder have at their disposal. With Dakari now officially apart of the big league team, four NBA teams now have three or more former Kentucky Basketball players under contract. The Thunder will join the Pelicans, Kings, and Suns as those who love them some former Wildcats.