Tre Johnson’s NBA future is beginning to take shape following Monday night’s NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago, which dramatically shifted the landscape for June’s highly anticipated draft. In a surprising twist, the Dallas Mavericks secured the first overall pick, sending shockwaves across the league. Behind them, the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Charlotte Hornets rounded out the top four, respectively. While Johnson is unlikely to be selected first overall, the lottery’s outcome has helped narrow the range of teams that are most likely to call his name on draft night.
Johnson, a standout freshman for the Texas Longhorns and the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year, has solidified himself as one of the premier talents in this year’s class. While Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey dominate headlines as the presumed top three picks in most mock drafts, Johnson is not far behind and could sneak into the top three depending on how teams value scoring, versatility, and perimeter shooting. The latest projections suggest Johnson is likely to be taken somewhere between the third and eighth picks, a range that brings several intriguing destinations into play, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, and Brooklyn Nets.
Philadelphia, who jumped into the top three despite having just a 3% chance at doing so, represents a very real and perhaps ideal landing spot for Johnson. The Sixers are desperate for additional firepower to support Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, especially after falling short in recent playoff runs. Johnson, who shot 40 percent from beyond the arc in college, could be the type of reliable floor spacer and off-ball scorer that fits perfectly next to the existing core. His ability to create his own shot while also playing off of elite creators would give Philadelphia an instant offensive boost. Considering their playoff pedigree and desire to contend sooner rather than later, selecting a polished scorer like Johnson at No. 3 wouldn’t be surprising, particularly if they feel Flagg, Harper, and Bailey are off the board or not the right positional fits.
Meanwhile, Charlotte continues its rebuild and will once again be picking high in the lottery, this time with the fourth overall selection. The Hornets have collected talent in recent years, notably selecting LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller with top-three picks. However, they’ve yet to find a consistent scorer at the shooting guard position, someone who can both relieve Ball of some offensive duties and serve as a reliable scoring option alongside Miller. Johnson’s dynamic perimeter game, combined with his calm demeanor and high-level shot-making ability, could be exactly what the Hornets need to elevate their offense to the next tier. Charlotte has often gone for high-upside players with length and shot creation, and Johnson checks both of those boxes.
Utah, who finished with the worst record in the NBA in 2025 despite the recent rise of young pieces like Keyonte George and Taylor Hendricks, could use a pure scorer to lead their offense. Holding the fifth pick, the Jazz are in prime position to draft a player like Johnson, who would instantly become one of the team’s most talented offensive threats. In fact, CBSSports’s Kyle Boone recently released a post-lottery mock draft in which he projected Johnson to land in Salt Lake City. Johnson would bring a confidence and scoring mentality that could speed up Utah’s rebuild and provide the franchise with a player capable of averaging 20-plus points per game early in his career. With Utah’s need for perimeter scoring and Johnson’s willingness to be a high-volume shooter, the match seems logical.
Washington finds itself with the sixth pick, and if Johnson is still on the board, it would be difficult for the Wizards to pass on him. The team has struggled for years to build a consistent identity and is in the midst of a full-on rebuild. Adding Johnson to a young backcourt that includes Bub Carrington and Jordan Poole would offer fans some excitement and a real foundation for the future. While Poole’s inconsistency has drawn criticism, adding a poised and polished scorer like Johnson could help stabilize the guard rotation and allow for greater flexibility. ESPN’s respected draft duo, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, have predicted in their most recent mock that Johnson will end up in Washington. His scoring instincts, maturity, and ability to contribute immediately would be huge for a franchise searching for direction and leadership.
Should Johnson fall past Washington, the New Orleans Pelicans are a team to watch at No. 7. Though the Pelicans have plenty of talent—led by Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum—shooting and backcourt depth remain pressing issues. Johnson could step in and help diversify the Pelicans’ offensive arsenal with his reliable outside shooting and midrange game. His scoring would help open up the floor for Zion to dominate inside and give the team another creator during half-court sets. Johnson’s intensity and competitive fire also match well with the culture New Orleans is building under head coach Willie Green. If the Pelicans don’t address other roster concerns with that pick, Johnson would be a fantastic addition.
The Brooklyn Nets round out the realistic landing spots for Johnson in the top eight. Brooklyn, currently in a state of transition following the breakup of their previous All-Star core, needs building blocks to re-establish a competitive identity. With Mikal Bridges and Cam Thomas as notable contributors, the Nets could use another young scorer with star potential. Johnson’s presence would give Brooklyn a new offensive engine to develop while offering spacing and shot creation in the backcourt. If the Pelicans go in a different direction at No. 7, Brooklyn would be wise to seize the opportunity to bring Johnson into the fold.
Though the lottery results have narrowed down potential destinations, plenty remains to be seen as teams begin to dig deeper into evaluations. This week’s NBA Combine is a critical moment for prospects like Johnson to solidify their draft stock and answer lingering questions. Teams will be closely watching not only his on-court drills and scrimmages but also his interviews, medicals, and ability to process the game during team-led exercises. Johnson’s consistent production at Texas, combined with his smooth shooting stroke and competitive nature, already make him a favorite among evaluators. He averaged 17.4 points per game during his lone collegiate season, showcasing a diverse offensive package that includes step-back threes, pull-up jumpers, and tough finishes at the rim.
Scouts love his polished footwork, confident ball handling, and ability to get to his spots even against elite defenders. One of the most encouraging signs of his readiness for the NBA is his calm decision-making. He rarely forces shots and plays within the flow of the offense, a trait that separates him from many volume-scoring guards at this stage of development. He also displays a keen understanding of spacing and how to use screens effectively, elements of his game that should translate well to NBA systems.
Another major asset is his frame. At 6-foot-6 with a sturdy build and good wingspan, Johnson has the physical tools to defend both guard positions. While he was not known as an elite defender in college, his effort and awareness on that end were solid, and many believe he has the potential to become an above-average perimeter defender in the league. NBA teams often value two-way potential in top-10 picks, and Johnson appears to have the upside to contribute on both ends of the court.
There’s also a maturity to Johnson’s approach that stands out. Those around the Texas program often spoke about his work ethic, professionalism, and ability to stay even-keeled through adversity. That kind of mindset will appeal to organizations looking to add character as well as talent. The pressure of being a lottery pick can be immense, but Johnson seems equipped to handle the scrutiny and expectations that come with it. His ability to stay focused and deliver under pressure was evident during the Longhorns’ postseason push, where he routinely hit big shots and served as the go-to option in crunch time.
As the June 25 draft approaches, Johnson remains one of the most intriguing names to monitor. Whether he ends up in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Utah, Washington, New Orleans, or Brooklyn, one thing is certain: whichever franchise lands him will be gaining a talented scorer with a polished skill set, high basketball IQ, and the potential to become a long-term foundational piece. His name might not be called first, but there’s little doubt he’ll make a major impact wherever he goes. For now, all eyes will be on the NBA Combine and the next steps of the pre-draft process, where Johnson has the opportunity to cement his place as one of the top prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft.