‘Are they looking to bring back the glory days?’ – NBA fans react after Spurs and Keldon Johnson agree four-year, $80M extension

According to Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul and agent Lucas Newton, the San Antonio Spurs and forward Keldon Johnson have struck an agreement on a four-year, $80 million deal extension. After being picked by the Spurs with the 29th choice in the 2019 NBA Draft, Johnson, 22, has spent three seasons playing in San Antonio.

He averaged 17 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over the course of 75 games last season, all of which were career highs. Last season, the Spurs finished with a 34-48 record, and after falling to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Play-In Tournament, they were finally eliminated from postseason contention.

Image Credits – Rab8

Johnson had a successful 2021–22 season. Johnson’s improved long-range shooting was his biggest plus. He had a 36 percent percentage from beyond the arc when the season began. However, he ended up making 39.8 percent of his triples. Dejounte Murray was the subject of a significant trade by the Spurs, but they have chosen to keep Johnson for the long term.

Johnson will undoubtedly play a prominent part in San Antonio this coming season, so it will be interesting to see whether he can further improve his performance. He will mentor the younger players joining the system in addition to being responsible for statistically leading the squad.

The deal completed on Friday comes two weeks after the Spurs sent Atlanta Hawks player Danilo Gallinari and three first-round choices for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray. Murray scored 21.1 points per game to lead the Spurs last year.

In each of his three seasons, Johnson’s 3-point attempts have increased by more than twice as much. In his second season, he increased his performance from that range, rising from an efficient but modest total of 13-22 as a rookie to 60-181.

In the wake of the Murray deal, the Spurs are unmistakably in the rebuilding phase. But with the agreement of Johnson’s new term, the Spurs have made it plain that they intend to maintain him as a focal point going forward.

NBA fans react to Keldon Johnson’s Spurs contract extension

Paul Garcia reacted on Twitter by posting, “I sent Lonnie a text and I talked to DJ on the phone. They’re still going to be family, they’re still my brothers. They know I’m just one phone call away.” – Keldon Johnson on Lonnie going to Lakers and Murray being traded to Hawks.” Another added, “Keldon Johnson jersey owners took a big W today, wish I could relate.”

Here are a few more tweets regarding this contract agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/ChiesaIsMyDad/status/1548156273316618245

 

 

 

 

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