AJ Johnson is having the best stretch of his NBA career as he now plays major minutes for the Washington Wizards, something he did not experience with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Johnson was picked 23rd overall by the Bucks in June 2024’s draft and was treated by Milwaukee as a developmental player. He was thought to be a kid, 20, with high upside.
However, the Bucks became desperate and they had to throw him in on the trade that saw them receive Kyle Kuzma in exchange for veteran and three-time All-Star Khris Middleton.
He played his best game on Saturday when he scored 20 points in 42 minutes in loss against the Brooklyn Nets. He is currently averaging at least 29 minutes per game.
He only played a total of seven games for the Bucks before the trade and averaged just around 6 minutes per outing.
Satuday game showed that potential the Bucks drafted him for. He had clutch threes, timely assists, and even a highlight dunk that made it to no. 1 in the NBA.com’s Daily Top 10.
AJ AT IT AGAIN 😳 featuring the broadcast cam!@WashWizards | #ForTheDistrict pic.twitter.com/FhH8flxmHm
— Monumental Sports Network (@MonSportsNet) March 30, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks might have wasted their pick
The Wizards’ confidence on Johnson is just high right now.
That’s what the 20-year-old is feeling, too. When asked about post-game about his highest ceiling, he said that he has a superstar potential.
“I feel like I can be a superstar 100 percent in this league, I just need to work my tail off everyday,” he said.
“Honestly, it’s gonna take an everyday grind. All the little things. What I, what I watch.”
His words weren’t seen as over the top by many Wizards fans.
Rookie AJ Johnson already has displayed some intriguing abilities during his brief time with the Wizards. After tonight’s game, he said: “With the grind that I’m about to have this summer and stuff like that, I feel like I’m going to come back different.”
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) March 30, 2025
It feels like AJ Johnson has a new dunk highlight every single game.
So much athleticism with a knack for getting into the paint — the kid is so much fun to watch. Just electric. pic.twitter.com/0roquozmxk
— Will Clayton (@DubClayton) March 30, 2025
One of the things you look for in young scorers is whether or not they shy away from the moment
Well there’s nothing shy about AJ Johnson’s game
He’s got that “it” factor, hitting big shot after big shot today with 11 4th quarter points pic.twitter.com/D31SHMBCp3 https://t.co/XML2ZkevZS
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) March 30, 2025
Brian Keefe discussing AJ Johnson: “He’s fearless. He’s a fearless kid.”
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) March 30, 2025
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