Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty Might addressed the collection of Morez Johnson Jr. on Thursday, July 9, explaining that he was not the one who made the choice to draft his former Michigan player ninth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft.
“I didn’t draft Morez only for the document. When it was defined to me why we drafted him all of it made sense,” Might stated.
Might coached Johnson in the course of the 2025-26 faculty season at Michigan, the place the ahead developed into one of many Massive Ten’s best inside gamers. Regardless of their earlier relationship, Might indicated that the Mavericks’ choice was primarily based on the group’s analysis of Johnson’s match fairly than merely his familiarity with the participant.
Johnson spent his freshman season at Illinois earlier than transferring to Michigan for his sophomore 12 months. In 40 video games with the Wolverines in 2025-26, he averaged 13.1 factors, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.1 minutes per recreation whereas capturing 62.3% from the sector, 34.3% from three-point vary and 78.2% from the free-throw line.
Throughout two faculty seasons, Johnson appeared in 70 video games and averaged 10.5 factors and seven.0 rebounds whereas capturing 62.8% from the sector. He entered the draft as a bodily frontcourt participant recognized for rebounding, ending across the basket and defensive versatility.
The Mavericks chosen Johnson after a serious offseason transition that noticed the franchise restructure its basketball operations under President Masai Ujiri, General Manager Mike Schmitz and Might. Dallas moved on from former head coach Jason Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison whereas starting a rebuild round No. 1 total choose Cooper Flagg.
Johnson was Dallas’ first choice within the 2026 NBA Draft, adopted by Spanish guard Sergio de Larrea at No. 25 and Russian guard Vsevolod Ishchenko at No. 56 after buying his draft rights.
The Mavericks entered the offseason seeking to enhance a roster that completed 26-56 within the 2025-26 common season and ranked among the many NBA’s weakest three-point capturing groups. Dallas added capturing and offensive versatility by way of strikes involving Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser and Tarik Biberovic whereas constructing a youthful roster round Flagg and the anticipated return of Kyrie Irving.
Johnson made his first look for Dallas throughout NBA Summer time League motion towards the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. The rookie ahead led the Mavericks with 27 factors, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks in 32 minutes throughout a 101-90 loss.
He shot 12-of-17 from the sector, together with 1-of-4 from three-point vary, and was one of many few vibrant spots for Dallas because the staff struggled from past the arc, making simply 9-of-38 three-point makes an attempt.
