Sacramento Kings: 15 greatest scorers in franchise history
Scouting Report. SF. (1981-87). Eddie Johnson. Pick Analysis. 9. player. 84
In the second round of the 1981 NBA Draft, the then-Kansas City Kings selected small forward Eddie Johnson out of the University of Illinois. Little did they know that the late second-round selection would go on to stake his claim in the top10 of the Kings’ all-time points leaders.
Throughout his six-season stay with the Kings, Johnson would work his way up the team’s record books.
As a rookie, Johnson only averaged 9.3 points per game, but he quickly upped that total in his sophomore season. Jumping from 9.3 points per game to 19.8 and then 21.9 the season after, Johnson helped the Kings earn a spot in the playoffs during the 1983-84 season.
His career-high in points per game came in his fourth season with the club when he averaged 22.9 per game. In six seasons with the franchise, Johnson scored 9,027 points and averaged 18.7 points per game, just outside the top 10. However, his 9,027 points are ninth all time for the Kings, just ahead of Scott Wedman, who narrowly missed this ranking.
For Johnson to be a late second-round pick and work his way into the franchise’s top 10 in total points is an impressive feat. Johnson’s length and shooting ability from the small forward position was a huge advantage for the Kings in the early 1980s. His presence helped them to two playoff appearances during his time with the team.