Jason Kidd reveals 1st impression of Wizards’ Tre Johnson amid hot shooting start

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Washington Wizards fans had long dreamed of securing Duke University superstar Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, in a surprising turn of events, the Dallas Mavericks won May’s NBA Draft Lottery despite having 12.2 percent worse odds. Meanwhile, the Wizards received the No. 6 pick — the lowest they could have landed as the league’s second-worst-ranked team last season.

Despite missing out on Flagg, the Wizards struck gold with University of Texas guard Tre Johnson, who is far from just a consolation prize. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised the 19-year-old ahead of Dallas’s 111-105 win over Washington on Saturday.

“He’s playing well. You can see his confidence is growing,” said Kidd, a Hall of Famer. “When you’re a young player in this league, you’ve got to be around positive [examples]. CJ [McCollum] and [Khris] Middleton are helping these young players.”

Indeed, Johnson has wasted no time asserting himself. The 6-foot-5, 190-pound guard ranks third among rookies with 5.1 three-point attempts per game and fourth among rookies with at least three attempts, shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, according to NBA.com. In contrast, Flagg is making just 26.2 percent of his 3.8 attempts.

That’s not to say Johnson is necessarily better than Flagg—Flagg is primarily a three-level scorer, while Johnson’s strength lies mainly in his jump shooting. However, Johnson’s promising performance just 11 games into his NBA career is giving Wizards fans plenty to be excited about.

Kidd isn’t the only NBA figure impressed by Johnson’s abilities. Philadelphia 76ers coach Nick Nurse called the 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year “very good” and praised his scoring ability ahead of the 76ers’ 139-134 overtime win against Washington.

Players and coaches often respond diplomatically when asked about opponents and teammates, but their words can reveal subtle truths. Kidd highlighted Johnson’s growing confidence, supported by the veteran leadership of McCollum and Middleton. Nurse emphasized Johnson’s natural scoring talent—a skill that piqued the interest of the 76ers, who ultimately selected Baylor guard VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick.

Meanwhile, Flagg admitted he and Johnson aren’t close but said he “definitely” knows him and is happy to see Johnson thriving in Washington.

Though the two top-six picks may not be best friends yet, they share common ground: both are expected to be foundational pieces for struggling teams. Currently, Dallas holds a 3-8 record while Washington is 1-10. The Wizards have also recently undergone organizational turmoil, with head coach Wes Unseld Jr. being fired following fallout related to the February trade of Luka Doncic.

Still, the attention and praise Johnson is receiving bode well for his development. Being part of a rebuilding Wizards team with a clear vision provides him with a more stable environment compared to teams in turmoil.

### Teammates Praise Johnson’s Impact

Johnson’s value is clear to his teammates as well. Second-year Wizards center Alex Sarr highlighted Johnson’s importance to the offense after Saturday’s loss.

“Being aggressive. Being a very good shooter, he pulls the defense,” Sarr said. “He can make plays for others, puts the ball on the floor. He brings a lot of playmaking.”

While the Wizards still face challenges offensively, adding Johnson has helped improve their numbers. Washington currently ranks 23rd in the league with 113.6 points per game, up from 27th with 108 last season. Their effective field goal percentage has climbed to 53.3 percent (21st), compared to 51.2 percent (28th) last year. Similarly, their true shooting percentage rose to 56.2 percent (24th) from 54.6 percent (29th) previously.

These gains also reflect the development of players like Sarr and second-year wing Kyshawn George, who are becoming reliable scorers as they gain experience. Johnson’s ability to command defensive attention and space the floor complements their growth, making it easier for teammates to find scoring opportunities.

### What’s Next for Tre Johnson?

The next milestone for the former McDonald’s All-American is to deliver a 25-plus point game, demonstrating to the NBA that he can dominate offensively on any given night. Fellow rookies Cooper Flagg, VJ Edgecombe, and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel have already reached that mark, setting the standard for Johnson to follow.

Johnson’s upcoming opportunities to make this statement include an away game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, followed by a home matchup with the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Wizards fans will be watching closely to see if their young sharpshooter can take the next step in his promising rookie season.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/washington-wizards/wizards-news-jason-kidd-1st-impression-tre-johnson-2

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