Keyontae Johnson just completed his rookie season in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He finished the year averaging 1.2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game while shooting 31.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three-point range in nine games.
This summer, Johnson was a free agent available to sign with any team in the league.
Tuesday, priority to sports announcement that Johnson signed with the Charlotte Hornets.
Buzz City’s New Resident: @Keyontae! 🐝 pic.twitter.com/ywjrHauqp6
— Priority Sports (@PrioritySports) August 20, 2024
Johnson was the 50th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft after playing college basketball for Florida and Kansas State.
In addition to the NBA, the 24-year-old also spent significant time in the G League last season.
He on average 19.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game on 52.7% shooting and 39.2% from three-point range in 25 regular season games.
MY GOD! ⚡️🤯
KEYONTAE JOHNSON JUST RELEASED A BANGER FOR THE @okcblue. pic.twitter.com/q3LcdeC6bb
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 1, 2024
The Hornets are a rebuilding team, so adding a player like Johnson makes a lot of sense as a development project.
Given the way he played in the G League, there’s reason to believe he could get minutes on an NBA team next season.
It’s a DUNK PARTY! 💥
Keyontae Johnson with two beautiful slams in a row. @okcblue pic.twitter.com/gwkE81qE1g
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) February 9, 2024
The Hornets finished last season in 13th place in the Eastern Conference with a 21-61 record.
They haven’t been able to make the NBA playoffs since the 2016 season, when Kemba Walker was still on the roster (eight years ago).
That said, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are two of the best young players in the league.
