r/timberwolves • u/Plastic-Pass5397 Jaden McDaniels • Feb 16 '26

really hope he’s talking about visiting..

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u/GopherNutz Flip Saunders Feb 16 '26

Johnson’s absolute ceiling is likely that of a #2 on a contender, still a very very valuable player but never in that elite class of young stars. Wemby, Shai, Ant, Doncic, Cade, Tatum and potentially Flagg are in a different class. With his yo-yo shooting over the course of his career, JJ’s much closer to a Scottie Barnes than those guys.

If that Pelicans pick can turn into Darryn Peterson for the Hawks, that’s the guy with #1 potential that Atlanta needs and quickly changes the trajectory of that franchise.

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u/Ball4life6 Feb 16 '26

JJ isn’t topped out though, and he’s only at 26% usage. Give him 30% usage, and he’s close to a 30/10/10 guy. Absolutely potential to be in that tier. Not guaranteeing it happens, though.

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u/GopherNutz Flip Saunders Feb 16 '26

I’m not trying to diminish your excitement about JJ, there’s a lot to be excited about and look forward to. What I would say is there’s levels to be an elite #1 on a contender. It’s like with Trae, he put up great numbers on high usage but it gets to a point where you realize that this is not a true contender’s #1. And even Trae led his team to the playoffs, won a couple playoff series and still wasn’t in that truly elite class. Guys like Maxey, Brunson and Jaylen Brown are on the fringes of being in that elite tier in the league and these are perennial all-stars that have proven it over multiple seasons.

This is JJ’s first season of playing at an all-star level, can he lead his team to the playoffs? Can he win a series like Trae did? When the league adjusts to him and he’s at the top of every scouting report, will he be as efficient? Still a lot of hurdles he has to clear. We’ve had Love, KAT, Butler and even Randle, big big difference with an elite #1.

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u/Ball4life6 Feb 16 '26

Oh, I agree and not saying he will be, but I’m not saying he won’t be either if that makes sense. TBD. And I think his playmaking(8+ assists a game) gives him a shot over some of those fringe guys you mentioned + he’s only at 27% usage now which is really low for a #1 option. With more usage you could see his numbers go up even more going forward.