Morez Johnson Jr went No. 9 to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2026 NBA draft, giving them a frontcourt piece built around rebounding, defense and efficient finishing. The pick puts a 6'9", 250-pound player with a 7'3.50" wingspan into a role that can be useful right away if his game travels as projected.
Dallas Mavericks Take Morez Johnson Jr
The selection came after Johnson spent the 2025-26 season at Michigan following his transfer from Illinois. He entered the draft discussion with the kind of profile teams often target late in the top 10: a player who can affect possessions without needing a heavy offensive diet.
Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 62.3 percent from the field. He also posted 1.2 APG, 1.1 BPG and 0.7 SPG, numbers that fit the read on him as one of the more translatable role-playing bigs in the class.
Michigan Production And Measurements
At Michigan, Johnson paired his frame with production that stayed efficient. He shot 34.3 percent from 3-point range and 78.2 percent at the line, while his field-goal rate reflected a player who understood where his shots were coming from and maximized high-percentage chances.
That is the cleaner way to read his draft appeal. Johnson does not need a long set of touches to influence a game, and scouts valued the toughness, rebounding and defensive competitiveness that can show up quickly in NBA rotation minutes. For Dallas, that makes the No. 9 pick less about projection on volume scoring and more about whether his physical tools and habits translate into dependable frontcourt minutes.
Johnson’s NBA Fit
The catch is the same one that has followed him through the draft process. Johnson sometimes picks up avoidable fouls while chasing blocks or fighting for position, and his offensive game still has to grow before he can be treated as a complete modern forward. The balance for Dallas is simple: if the jumper develops, the role broadens; if it stalls, his value has to come from rebounding, defense and finishing around the basket.
That leaves the biggest roster question tied directly to how he settles in with the Dallas Mavericks. Johnson already has the size, motor and production to justify the pick, but where he lands on the floor will depend on how much more his jumper and perimeter game add over time.
