Story by
Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz on why Morez Johnson was Michigan Man for the job at No. 9
- Story by
- Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz on why Morez Johnson was Michigan Man for the job at No. 9
Mavericks GM Mike Schmitz on why Morez Johnson was Michigan Man for the job at No. 9 appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
When the Dallas Mavericks stunningly hired Michigan's Dusty May as their new head coach on Monday, it became clear they would likely be targeting one of May's Wolverine stars with the No. 9 pick in the NBA Draft on Tuesday night. However, almost nobody expected to hear the name that was called.
Advertisement
Morez Johnson Jr. was the pick for the Mavs at No. 9 on Tuesday night, going ahead of his front court-mates Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg. Some fans saw this as a reach, but May clearly values what Johnson brings to the table enough to scoop him up in the top 10.
After the draft, Mavericks general manager Mike Schmitz talked about what makes Johnson the right man for Dallas.
"Morez brings the type of toughness & competitiveness that we're looking for," Schmitz said. "High energy guy. Incredible motor. Winner. Has done it at the highest level in college basketball & did so as a 20-year-old, too. He's young for his class. He brings that type of energy and toughness that we want here in Dallas.
Advertisement
"And the familiarity piece is gonna be huge. It's obviously a very unique situation to be able to play for your college coach at the NBA level. So really excited to have Morez and Dusty as well."
Johnson is a bit of a work in progress offensively, but he showed promise as a play-finisher and an offensive rebounder during his lone season at Michigan after transferring to Ann Arbor from Illinois. But that's not what got him drafted in the top 10.
Johnson is one of the best defensive big men in this draft class. He doesn't quite have the size and length of Mara, but he is one of the most versatile bigs in the class on the defensive end of the floor. He has a big, menacing frame with good length and quick feet that allow him to stay with quicker guards on the perimeter, while his long arms help him contain bigger players in the post.
Putting him next to Cooper Flagg defensively will give Dallas a formidable group on that end of the floor.
Related: Why Mavericks made worst pick in Round 1 of 2026 NBA Draft
Related: Mavericks, Suns trade grades for 2026 NBA Draft deal involving Koa Peat
