The Dallas Mavericks did something on draft night that caught pretty much everyone off guard. They took Morez Johnson Jr. at No. 9 overall. That wasn’t where most mock drafts had him going, not even close. But the front office clearly saw something they liked, and Johnson isn’t exactly shy about what he thinks he can bring.
Johnson spent one season at Michigan after transferring from Illinois. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks for the Wolverines, who won the national title. Among the Michigan guys who entered the draft, Johnson was the one most people figured would hear his name last. Instead, he went before teammates Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11 to Golden State) and Aday Mara (No. 12 to Oklahoma City). So much for that projection.
Johnson’s confidence in his own game
The 20-year-old forward doesn’t lack for self-belief. When asked about playing alongside Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick who had a monster season for Dallas, Johnson didn’t hold back.
“I think it can get dangerous, us two on the court at the same time,” Johnson told Locked on Mavs’ Isaac Harris. “I’ve been playing against Coop for a very long time. I’m very excited and happy that I’m on the same side as him and get some wins together.”
That quote went viral almost immediately. Fans online started imagining what a frontcourt with Flagg’s versatility and Johnson’s relentless motor could look like. It’s early, sure, but the enthusiasm is real.
What Johnson brings to Dallas
Johnson’s game isn’t about flash. It’s about energy, effort, and physicality. He’s a strong defender who can switch onto multiple positions. He crashes the glass hard. He finishes through contact around the rim. He’s not polished offensively yet, and his jump shot is still a work in progress. But the Mavericks didn’t draft him at No. 9 expecting a finished product. They bet on the motor and the toughness.
Before Dallas grabbed him, there was chatter linking Johnson to the Thunder at No. 12. The Chicago Bulls also tried to trade up from No. 15 to snag him, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel. Siegel’s final mock draft had Johnson going to Oklahoma City. The Mavericks jumped the line.
Johnson will likely come off the bench as a rookie. That’s fine. Dallas has Flagg as the centerpiece, and the roster is built to win now. But Johnson gives them a young, hungry defender who can spell minutes and maybe develop into something more. And based on his comments, he’s not just happy to be here. He thinks he and Flagg can make some noise together.
The Mavericks took a swing. Now we see if it connects.
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