Keldon Johnson entered the league in 2019, playing on a veteran San Antonio Spurs team still clinging to a dynasty. He credits one key veteran with showing him the ropes.
Keldon Johnson has seen it all. He's spent seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, drafted to a team featuring veterans like DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, still holding onto the long-gone glory days of the dynasty.
Johnson then withstood trade rumors and watched as the Spurs parted ways with DeRozan, Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Jakob Poeltl for draft capital.
He stayed on the roster during the lean years, showing some promise before having his role shrink, and watched the rise of Victor Wembanyama.
Now that the Spurs are back in contention, he's not taking winning for granted. While he understands that Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and De'Aaron Fox are responsible for the recent success, he knows one overlooked veteran should get some praise, even if he hasn't been on the roster in years.
Johnson, Spurs Thank DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan didn't want to be a Spur. He wanted to spend his career with the Toronto Raptors and represent Canadian basketball. Instead, he got traded to a declining Spurs team and watched Kawhi Leonard win the Raptors their first ring.
Through it all, DeRozan revitalized his game and left in a trade that helped the Spurs rebuild, but he made an impact on the court, as well.
"He was definitely a huge part of my journey," said Johnson of DeRozan. "I feel like guys like him, Rudy, Dejounte, those guys really took me under their wing as well and really helped me become a real professional."
DeRozan would often lead a cohort of established Spurs stars to see the G League team in Austin, where Johnson was getting his first pro reps.
"DeMar always believed in me," gushed Johnson. "He always would show up to games. He and Dejounte, those guys, they would always show up and show love whenever they could. And it meant a lot to me as a young player. Any chance I get, I get to show those guys love because without them being big brothers to me and showing me the way it would be hard for a young kid like me trying to find my way in the league by myself and not having the guidance, but those guys really took me under their wing and showed me the right way to do things and showed me the Spurs Way because they were here."
Despite not wanting to play in San Antonio, DeRozan quickly adapted to what Gregg Popovich was asking of him; he became a selfless offensive player, prolonging his career with the Bulls and Kings.
"I feel like I'm very fortunate, very blessed to have two big brothers to this day like that because some people are unfortunate never to have vets like that," Johnson added.