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Mavericks Draft Michigan Defender Morez Johnson Ninth Overall

6/25/2026

Summary

Mavericks Draft Johnson

The Dallas Mavericks selected former Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick, reuniting him with head coach Dusty May.
Michigan’s three first-round picks marked the first time since 1985 that a defending national-champion program produced three lottery selections.
May said he will focus on defense with the Mavericks, building on Michigan’s No. 1 defensive ranking.

Summary

Mavericks Name Boynton

Mavericks named Michigan interim coach Mike Boynton Jr. head coach, the first college head coach to move to the NBA since John Beilein in 2019.
Masai Ujiri said May embodies the organization’s values, emphasizing culture over NBA experience.
May replaces Jason Kidd after a 26-56 season, the franchise’s worst record since 2017-18.
The Mavericks now center the team around Rookie-of-the-Year winner Cooper Flagg after trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis.

Summary

Boynton Fired

Jeff Borzello reported Michigan’s search, overseen by athletic director Warde Manuel, could include Billy Donovan, Nate Oats, T.J. Otzelberger, Mark Byington, Grant McCasland, Ben McCollum and Josh Schertz.
Elevated in 2017 after Brad Underwood left, Boynton compiled a 119-109 record, led Oklahoma State to 2021 NCAA tournament and recruited No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham.
Boynton was fired after an NCAA postseason ban linked to a corruption investigation affecting the 2021-22 season.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NBA draft, the league’s first lottery, saw the Boston Celtics use the second overall pick to select Len Bias, a move that sparked a brief surge of high-profile talent for the defending champion. Decades later, the Dallas Mavericks replicated that multi-pick rebuilding approach by hiring Michigan coach Dusty May and drafting Morez Johnson Jr. in 2024, hoping a similar talent infusion can accelerate a championship push.

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Mavericks Draft Johnson

The Dallas Mavericks selected former Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick, reuniting him with head coach Dusty May.
Michigan’s three first-round picks marked the first time since 1985 that a defending national-champion program produced three lottery selections.
May said he will focus on defense with the Mavericks, building on Michigan’s No. 1 defensive ranking.

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