SAN ANTONIO, TX – NOVEMBER 16: De’Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrate with Keldon Johnson #3 after a dunk againstSacramento Kings in second half at Frost Bank Center on November 16, 2025 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
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Since the drafting of Victor Wembanyama, there have been questions surrounding the future roles of both Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, with the latter taking the biggest hit in terms of production.
Johnson, who averaged 22 points in the season before Wembanyama’s arrival, no longer features as heavily within the offense. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t found a way to make it work.
In fact, despite scoring just 11.1 points per game, Johnson might be playing the best ball of his career.
Leaning into role player territory
While Johnson has always been a solid rebounder, especially for someone who stands just 6’5, the veteran has taken a leap in that department this season.
In just 23.2 minutes per night, the 26-year-old is grabbing 6.2 boards per game, and is hitting the offensive glass with reckless abandon.
Johnson is pulling down 2.4 in those limited minutes, and has upped his ORB% from 6.5% last season, to a whopping 12.5% this year.
He’s second on the team in offensive rebounding, with only Luke Kornet – who is 7’2 – beating him out for the top spot.
That is a strong sign of a player embracing a new role, and making the most of the opportunities given to him.
Only, that’s not his only area of improvement.
Improved shot profile
Johnson isn’t a high-volume shot-taker these days, in part due to all the mouths that need to be fed, so he’s been settling for eight shots per game, on average.
While he’s never been a prolific three-point shooter, he’s historically been a solid interior scorer, and that’s what he’s leaned into this season.
58.7% of his shots come from three feet and in, a stark improvement from last season’s 33.6%.
Johnson is essentially attacking the rim far more, which is also evident if you watch the Spurs with any regularity. He won’t pass up open three-pointers, but he’s completely abandoned the mid-range game in order to maximize his efficiency near the basket, where he’s hitting 70.5% of his attempts.
(That’s not a hyperbole, Johnson has not taken a single shot from between 10-16 feet this season.)
The wing is making plays that help the Spurs win games, and he’s doing so through willing sacrifice. That is the type of player championship-level teams love to embrace, and it seems that Johnson is embracing this opportunity right back.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2025/11/17/keldon-johnson-is-becoming-a-high-value-role-player-for-the-spurs/
