The 2025 NBA draft tips off tonight with the first round, and former Texas Longhorns wing Tre Johnson is expected to go in the top 10. How high can the green room invitee climb in the draft order? It depends upon whom you ask.
The most optimistic landing spot for Johnson in the final mock drafts is the New York Post’s prediction of the Charlotte Hornets at No. 4.
“The Hornets are in desperate need of shooting after finishing 28th in 3-point percentage (33.9) this season, and Johnson could help improve upon that weakness immediately. As a freshman, he shot a robust 52.1 percent coming off screens and also hit 39.7 percent from distance on 6.8 attempts per game.” — New York Post Mock Draft
Much of the discussion since the NBA draft lottery has forecast Johnson landing in Utah with the fifth pick. Bleacher Report’s final mock draft still believes the Jazz will pick the former Longhorn at No. 5.
“Sources say the Utah Jazz have done significant homework on Tre Johnson, who’s also a strong fit based on the team’s current roster. His shotmaking has teams picturing a high floor and instant, translatable offense. The trouble some have with Johnson focuses on his shot selection and lack of passing, and whether they’ll lead to inefficient stretches that negatively affect his value. Still, Johnson remains incredibly polished around the perimeter with his self-creation, shooting skills and touch shots. A more potent one-on-one game could give him an edge over Kon Knueppel, who’ll also be in the best-player-available discussion.” — Bleacher Report Mock Draft
A new mock draft from ESPN has Johnson falling all the way to at the Brooklyn Nets at No. 8.
“Johnson has been viewed by many teams as having a somewhat narrow set of landing spots, between Picks 4 and 6, but there are realistic scenarios such as this one in which he slips out of that group.” — ESPN Mock Draft
Trades and free agent signings can change a lot between the lottery and the draft. A new USA TODAY Sports mock draft has Johnson getting picked at No. 7 by the New Orleans Pelicans.
“Johnson is a natural shooter and scorer. He does well when scoring on the move and is a decent playmaker for his size. He still needs to work on his ability to make plays for others. He must also work on his strength and his explosiveness in order to assert himself as a finisher at the rim. He had three 30-point games in the past two months, including 39 against Arkansas on Feb. 26. He had 23 points and six rebounds in an NCAA Tournament loss to Xavier.” — USA TODAY Sports Mock Draft
CBS Sports latest mock draft agrees that Johnson will wind up in the Big Easy.
“Johnson led freshmen in Division I last season in scoring and made more 3-pointers than any player in his class to boot. He’s a bucket-getter who has opened eyes not just with his versatility as a scorer, but with his rounded skill set as a playmaker, too. He’s in play as high as No. 3 but could go outside the top five, too. One determining factor may be which direction Utah, seen as a wild card, goes at No. 5.” — CBS Sports Mock Draft
Yahoo Sports also has the 6-foot-6 guard falling to the Nets in the eighth spot.
“Someone’s gonna slip here. In this mock, it’s Johnson, a clutch shot-maker who can hit from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease. But he needs to continue developing his point-guard skills while also honing his shot selection and dramatically improving his defense. The Nets have five first-round picks, one-sixth of the entire first round. And though they’re a potential trade-up team, league sources say they’re comfortable using all five firsts and going with a young roster heading into next season.” — Yahoo Sports Mock Draft
The latest mock draft from NBC Sports also has the former Longhorn falling to the Nets.
“The Nets, who now control five first-round picks thanks to the reported three-team deal with Boston and Atlanta, will significantly impact how the draft plays out. How many will lead executive Sean Marks hold onto? And will Brooklyn look to use the draft capital to go “big game hunting?” As for this pick, Johnson is one of the best scorers in this draft class, and he would be joining a Nets squad that finished this season ranked 28th in offensive rating and 29th in points per game.” — NBC Sports Mock Draft
And The Athletic thinks Johnson will be taken No. 7 by the Pelicans.
“The Pelicans have several guards under contract, including CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray, but may not have any long-term answers there. Johnson would be a strong player to get into the mix, and it’s hard to see him falling below this slot. He could go as high as No. 3 to Philadelphia. If the Pelicans are going to continue building around Zion Williamson, getting another monster shooter is a home run. Texas didn’t utilize him enough this year as a movement shooter, but Johnson has elite potential in that respect. I watched him in a workout in April go at full speed for over an hour, consistently drilling shots with the same mechanics over and over again off complex actions and movements. The most underrated skill that movement shooters in the NBA need is stamina. They need to run forever, and Johnson can do that while also possessing real upside long-term to build his game. He’s been highly impressive for teams in the pre-draft process, too.” — The Athletic Mock Draft
We’ll find out Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. CT on ABC and ESPN.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Final Mocks show Trey Johnson might be sliding before tonight’s NBA Draft?
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
