Full Breakdown
Mavericks Draft 9: Morez Johnson Jr. Joins Dusty May in Dallas
6/24/2026, 10:12:35 PM
The Pick: Morez Johnson Jr. at No. 9
Dallas selected Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, reuniting him with newly hired head coach Dusty May. The selection marked the first draft choice made by President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri and General Manager Mike Schmitz.
Background & Context
- The 2025-26 Mavericks missed the playoffs (26-56) and entered the lottery with the eighth-best odds, falling to the ninth spot.
- In early May, Masai Ujiri was appointed President of Basketball Operations; Mike Schmitz became GM shortly thereafter.
- Hours before the draft, the franchise hired Dusty May, who had just guided Michigan to the 2026 national championship.
Key Figures
- Morez Johnson Jr. – 6-ft-9, 250-lb forward. Reported college averages vary: 13.1 pts, 7.3 reb, 1.1 blk (source 12) and 12.8 pts, 10.4 reb, 2.1 blk (source 5). Known for defensive versatility, rebounding, and a 7-ft-3´´ wingspan (third-best among forwards at the combine).
- Dusty May – Former Michigan head coach, now Mavericks head coach.
- Masai Ujiri – President of Basketball Operations, praised May’s building ability.
- Cooper Flagg – 2025 No. 1 overall pick and reigning Rookie of the Year, expected to anchor the frontcourt alongside Johnson.
Timeline
- Early May 2025 – Masai Ujiri hired as president.
- June 2025 – Mike Schmitz appointed GM.
- Early May 2026 – Dusty May hired as head coach.
- April 6 2026 – NBA Draft: Johnson selected No. 9; Michigan teammates Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11) and Aday Mara (No. 12) also drafted.
- April 6 2026 – Mavericks trade No. 30 pick to Phoenix Suns for No. 47 and two future second-rounders.
Data & Statistics
- Johnson’s shooting: 62.3 % field-goal, 12-of-35 three-point attempts (source 12).
- Measured wingspan: just over 7-ft-3´´, ranking third among forwards at the combine (source 12).
- Draft projection: late lottery pick that rose to No. 9 on draft night (source 3).
Why It Matters
The pick addresses Dallas’ need for interior defense and rebounding while preserving flexibility to develop a frontcourt around Cooper Flagg. It also signals a strategic shift toward player-development under May and Ujiri, both known for talent evaluation.
Official Statements & Responses
- Masai Ujiri: “Dusty has won at every stage of his career because of his ability to build. He develops players, creates accountability and brings people together around a shared standard of excellence.” (source 18)
- Dusty May: “This is one of the most respected franchises in professional sports, with passionate fans, a talented roster, and a clear commitment to building a championship organization.” (source 18)
- Mavericks organization (reported): “The organization clearly believes he can help address some of those issues moving forward.” (source 6)
Criticism & Opposition
- The Mavs Film Room noted the selection “did not solve their need for more shooting, more shot creation, more offense in general.” (source 1)
- Austin Veazey argued the pick “feels like a reach” at No. 9 when Johnson was ranked around 13th and “doesn’t help the Mavericks’ biggest needs: shooting, playmaking, or on-ball creation.” (source 11)
- Analysts highlighted Johnson’s tendency to foul and limited offensive repertoire as potential drawbacks.
On-the-Ground Reaction
Johnson expressed surprise and excitement on the draft broadcast: “I was insanely shocked when I saw Dusty was going to coach of the Mavs… And now for him to be my coach again, I’m excited. It’s insane.” (source 3) He added that playing alongside Flagg “can get dangerous, us two on the court at the same time.” (source 3)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Stat discrepancies: Points per game reported as 13.1 (source 12) vs. 12.8 (source 5); rebounds 7.3 vs. 10.4; blocks 1.1 vs. 2.1.
- Future role: No definitive plan disclosed for Johnson’s position (power forward vs. center) or how he will integrate with existing big men (Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Jaden Washington).
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was insanely shocked when I saw Dusty was going to be coach of the Mavs. I did not see it coming at all,” — Morez Johnson Jr., Michigan forward
- “And now for him to be my coach again, I'm excited. It's insane. We just won a national championship together. I can't wait to get there and go to work with him again and ultimately win again.” — Morez Johnson Jr.
- “I think it can get dangerous, us two on the court at the same time.” — Morez Johnson Jr., on playing with Cooper Flagg
- “Dusty has won at every stage of his career because of his ability to build,” — Masai Ujiri, President of Basketball Operations
- “I love this for the Mavericks.” — Kevin O’Connor, Yahoo Sports podcaster
- “should be incredibly excited about” — Rich Stayman, manager of scouting, PNW Sports Group
What’s Next
The Mavericks will assess Johnson’s fit during summer workouts and may explore additional roster moves, including potential trades involving frontcourt assets (Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, or Jaden Washington) to maximize flexibility around Cooper Flagg. The upcoming preseason will reveal how quickly Johnson can translate his college defensive impact to the NBA level.
