Texas Longhorns guard Tre Johnson (20) high fives Xavier Musketeers head coach Sean Miller after making a three point basket in the second half at UD Arena. Rick Osentoski USA TODAY NETWORK
It’s already started.
The NBA Finals haven’t even concluded and the first salvos of the offseason were fired off cannonball-style over the weekend, with the Memphis Grizzlies sending Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for a package that included four future unprotected first-round picks.
Consider it a precursor leading into — and during — the NBA Draft, which takes place June 25-26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. With few teams boasting enough salary cap space to make any major free agency acquisitions, the expectation around the league is that the majority of high-level player movements will come via trade rather than a splash of cash.
So, that could affect what happens at the top of the draft behind lock No. 1 selection Cooper Flagg. San Antonio and Philadelphia hold the cards before the Charlotte Hornets are on the clock at No. 4, and there’s a little uncertainty with how things may unfold with the 76ers.
Rutgers products Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey are projected to go next at 2 and 3,, but Harper’s fit on the Spurs’ roster has many wondering if San Antonio trades out of that spot for a player that can help them win now. As for Bailey, his potential is off the charts.
Ace Bailey (21) and Tre Johnson (56) participate in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena. David Banks USA TODAY NETWORK
“Highest upside of anyone in this draft,” one NBA talent evaluator told The Observer on Monday. “If he clicks, he’s a Hall of Famer.”
Which is why it seems unlikely Bailey will be available when the Hornets are on the clock to make the fourth overall selection in the draft. That could leave Charlotte to decide whether to go with Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe or Texas’ Tre Johnson.
To get a better idea of how Edgecombe and Johnson stack up, The Observer spoke with a talent evaluator and asked for some of the strengths and weaknesses of the duo.
VJ Edgecombe
▪ Position: PG/SG
▪ Height/weight: 6-foot-4/193 pounds
▪ Team: Baylor
The good: “The main thing you are getting out of him is his athleticism,” the evaluator said. “To me, it’s a curse and a strength. He’s more of a wing, more trending toward a small forward. So now you’ve got a guy that is undersized when you want your wings to be about 6-8, 6-7. So now he’ s got to fit into that ‘2’ guard spot/a wing, which is a combination ‘2-3’.
“Ja Morant would be only one more athletic than him if he was a ‘1.’
“His free throws, he’s at 78%. This is how we look at it: If you shoot 80% or better from free throws, you will always get better as a 3-point shooter. You are not concerned. You are like, ‘Ok he’ll get better.’
“Now, what’s impressive about him is his steal rate. I didn’t think he was as good as he was defensively as he was in high school, but averaged 2.1 steals and 3.2 assists. A ‘3’ guard is not primarily a ball-handler. He moves the ball. He’s unselfish with it.
“He’s going to guard ‘1s’ and ‘2s,’ no problem. And you’ve got your playmaker.”
Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) with the ball during practice at Lenovo Center. Bob Donnan USA TODAY NETWORK
Concerns: “If he ever loses his athleticism, to me it’s a wrap because that’s his everything,” the evaluator said. “His athleticism allows him to be great. Michael Jordan, without athleticism, Michael Jordan was still skilled. He could get to his spots, all that. (Edgecombe’s) athleticism allows him to do everything.
“He’s limited as a ball-handler. He’s not a guy you can play at the point guard. Now, in a perfect world he’d be a point guard because he’s so athletic.
“But just, what if you have a knee injury or something that limits your athleticism? What’s in your bag now? And to me he doesn’t have a bag. He’s not going to break you down. He’s just a straightlined guy who’s going to dunk over you, which is fine. But again, it’s athletic-derived, everything he does. To me, that’s his super power — his athleticism.
“He shot better, which shocked me, transitioning into college. He shot 34%, so he tailed off. At the beginning of the year he was better. He shot 34%, which might be the overall league average. So, that number isn’t impressive for a shooting guard. It’s one thing to be a center and shoot that or a ‘4.’ But you’re supposed to shoot the ball.”
Tre Johnson
▪ Position: PG/SG
▪ Height/weight: 6-foot-4/190 pounds
▪ Team: Texas
Strengths: “To me, he’s the best shot creator in the class,” the evaluator said. “The best shooter, catch-and-shoot, is (Duke’s) Kon Knueppel. He’s the best shooter in the class. If he’s open, it’s going down. But Tre is the best shot-create guard in the class. Get to a spot. Pull up. Catch-and-shoot, all that. And he’s fearless. And he don’t give a - - - -.
“Tre was 39% on almost seven attempts from three. On 6.8 attempts. He’s shooting it, he’s getting it up. On almost the same amount of free throw attempts (per game as Edgecombe) — 4.2 — he’s shooting almost 90% for free throws and 40% from three. Now think about this: you’re only going to get better at what you are good at at the next level.”
Concerns: “If you can be a killer on offense, you can’t be a killer on defense?” the talent evaluator said. “It’s desire.
“I’m hoping I could get him to be better defensively. Defense is desire. ‘Tre, you want to play? You’re going to have to play defense.’ And maybe he’ll buckle down and give effort.”
Bottom line
“I’m taking Tre,” the evaluator said. “Instinctively, VJ is better at (defense). VJ is longer, he’s more athletic. He’s the better defender absolutely. VJ is not Tre Johnson offensively. So, if their (the Hornets’) mindset is ‘He’s solid enough or we can hide him offensively, we’ve got Melo (Ball), we’ve got Brandon (Miller), we’ve got bigger pieces around him where he can just be the third option or look. Anytime you’re above the break or in the corner, shoot it. Anything else, pass out.’
“He’s a guy you can hit backcourt lobs all day long because of his athleticism as a vertical guy. Maybe that’s their mindset with that: ‘We prefer defense out of that pick.’
“I would take Tre Johnson all day long over VJ.’”