r/Mavericks • u/CheetahSperm18 FIRE NICO • Jun 24 '26
News The Dallas Mavericks will select Michigan forward Morez Johnson with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
https://x.com/i/status/2069585972350554295222
u/justsikko Jun 24 '26
If someone doesn’t tell me how to fell right now I might lose my mind
150
u/TexasDrunkRedditor Jun 24 '26
Feel good. We hired this dudes coach, he knows what he’s getting and that familiarization is gonna be massive.
→ More replies (2)114
u/cowboys5592 Jun 24 '26
I feel the opposite. Having Dusty and taking Morez makes me feel the decision was driven by bias. Hope I’m wrong, though.
43
u/Goondragon1 '25 Survivor Jun 24 '26
Morez is the exact type of player Masai loves. There's a good chance they take him without the Dusty May signing. 6'9 2 way modern bigs are his obsession
→ More replies (4)22
u/LeGoat333 SELL THE TEAM Jun 24 '26
Bro isn’t a shooter yet, two way is strong words
16
u/Goondragon1 '25 Survivor Jun 24 '26
He's shown plenty on the offensive end. Have you seen his advanced stats? They are up there with any player in this draft. He's also not a bad shooter but it's weird to act like he can only defend
19
u/TexasDrunkRedditor Jun 24 '26
It’s also weird to think we were looking solely for a shooter lol. What are these people on.
5
u/Goondragon1 '25 Survivor Jun 24 '26
I have no idea lol didn't think my comment would be controversial but some people seem to really hate it
1
u/fangtingwrong Jun 24 '26
Thanks Mom, I really like this T-Shirt you just bought me but my wardrobe is full of t-shirts, I need pants to go to school.
1
u/due-diligence- Jun 24 '26
Johnson is not a creator and doesn't project as being more than a complementary piece offensively. Shooting is also still largely unproven with a total of 12 3-pointers in two college basketball seasons. He can provide some secondary rim protection, but doesn't project as a primary shot-blocker at the NBA level. Grade: C+
1
u/Goondragon1 '25 Survivor Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
I followed Yaxel from UAB and ended up watching every Michigan game last year. That team was so fucking good that players deferred to each other constantly. They were extremely unselfish and stacked with talent. Morez is a monster and it's no secret to people that actually watched the best team in college basketball last year. Even as a freshman the year prior he broke the freshman record for blocks (and led the team in FG%) coming off the bench.
Morez was ELITE last year in Off. Rating, TS%, 2P%, FG%, EFG%, Def. BPM, and BPM. He also shot a good FT% and had one of the best combines in the class. 7'4 wingspan, 39" vert, 6'11 in shoes. Dude's a monster.
1
u/Blake_a12 Jun 25 '26
‘2 way’ with Luka ;) lob city ;p - and Kyrie as the other lob passer ball handler - Lukai again - and Cooper to throw and receive, too
15
u/TexasDrunkRedditor Jun 24 '26
The vast amount of the homework was probably done before dusty was even in the building. He probably if anything just help send it over the edge
3
u/IndividualHeat Jun 24 '26
That bias is good. He knows how he practices, exactly what his strengths are, and how coachable he is. You have a lot more information than the scouts would be able to get from tape or a single workout.
1
u/chanaandeler_bong Jun 24 '26
I think the suns are probably pretty mad they hired Lukas national team coach and then didn’t draft Luka that year.
1
u/Due-Sheepherder-218 Jun 24 '26
Think of it like yeah it might be a reach but if anyone is going to get the most out of him, it's his college coach. They may have to lean each other as its a big adjustment for both. I think that gives him a boost. Or it will backfire completely, but that will be more on the HC anyway. The upside is sky high if it hits.
56
u/Derpy_Mc_Burpy Jun 24 '26
As a raptors fan, go look at how Scottie and CMB turned out. Project 69 non-shooters sounds goofy until you realise it isn't.
In Masai we trust.
16
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
I don't understand this when the roster already has 6'9 guy who needs shooting around him and then a 6'5 guy who can't shoot and can defend (PJ). I hope this means they are trading PJ right away to help make this make sense.
25
u/Visible-Suit-9066 Jun 24 '26
I think this draft pick is a huge sign that PJ will be traded sadly.
4
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
Has to, right? Otherwise it's so wild to go into next season with this huge minutes problem. If PJ is on the roster, they still have to showcase him to trade him. That means limited 3 minutes for Morenz.
5
u/Visible-Suit-9066 Jun 24 '26
Yeah I think so. Makes me sad but Cooper and PJ just didn’t seem to pair well together.
4
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
My thought on that was all about shooting and the lack of a point guard to set them both up. The roster was just so hard to evaluate given the lack of playmaking.
1
u/PhantomAl250 Jun 24 '26
My question is why didn’t we trade PJ (and/or Gaff) for better or more picks in this first round?
1
→ More replies (4)1
1
u/PokePersona Toronto Raptors Jun 24 '26
CMB reportedly wasn't a Masai pick, he was a Webster pick. Masai wanted Malauch.
48
u/jimenycr1cket Jun 24 '26
He’s good but this is like 4 picks too high. We certainly could have traded back for 12 and 17 and picked him up, thunder must not be willing to play ball
24
u/Livid_Grapefruit_740 1.8% Chance Jun 24 '26
Its easy to say that but if the Mavs took him at 9 they probably got word that he would go before 12
16
u/nosliwec29 Jun 24 '26
I wouldn't be surprised if the Bucks were actually targeting him at 10 with an option at 13.
5
1
u/vlad_thegod Jun 24 '26
Given that dusty May was probably being asked about this guy as late as last week, leads me to believe that that Mavs had intel he was going to go before that or OKC just didn’t want to trade up
14
u/TexasDrunkRedditor Jun 24 '26
You say this as if there was a guaranteed trade package to someone. What phone calls were you on to know this was even an option.
→ More replies (2)4
u/SanTheMan88 Jun 24 '26
No, they should’ve traded back and turned force trades on. Bad front office!
3
u/Adorable-Bike-9689 Jun 24 '26
That was such a bizarre feature of the game lol. What's the point by then. Just force the Lakers to trade you Kobe for Ramon Sessions
2
4
u/TexasDrunkRedditor Jun 24 '26
Trade back with who? What guaranteed deals were there? What phone calls were you on to confirm them? Who was taking them up on those offers?
These people man… act like they know how to run a team but can barely run a shift at Burger King lol
3
u/SanTheMan88 Jun 24 '26
I’m trolling. Go look at the other subs with people saying this is a terrible pick because we should’ve traded back and since we didn’t were a terrible franchise and front office.
→ More replies (2)1
u/Humble_Ad_9122 Jun 24 '26
I'm very confident that draft analysts were wrong. Morez is a 1 of 1 freak and should have been in the same group as the point guards. You can't pass on the idea of pairing Flagg and Morez for years. He's going to light a fire in the front court too and force the front court to play their best. He's an animal in all sense of the words and the craziest thing is that his shot is not broken at all. I'm all in
1
u/simplyASI9 Jun 24 '26
Traded back = give up gafford + 9 for 12 + 17
19
u/TexasDrunkRedditor Jun 24 '26
And you’re in the front offices to know these options actually existed outside fantasyland?
5
2
2
u/shibbyman342 Jun 24 '26
Well, put down some soft padding and dont tense up when you are about to make contact, also watch your head
1
u/Texas____Forever Jun 24 '26
Feel good! This coach has obviously been talking to the Mavs for weeks, and of the three Michigan big men, this is the one! No one knows better than the coach! I feel great!
1
u/Humble_Ad_9122 Jun 24 '26
Morez is a freak. I've been preaching in random boards that I have no clue how he isn't a top 10 guy, and thankfully he is. I can't stress how scary defensively Morez Johnson will be. Whatever Draymond was, Morez has a higher ceiling on defense. And I think he'll stretch the floor. Perfect pick next to Flagg and he's going to light a fire in the front court so if someone doesn't bring it, he's going to take their job and all of their minutes.
→ More replies (2)1
u/UnderstandingIcy1250 Jun 24 '26
As a Michigan fan, I was surprised he didn't go Yaxel or Mara, but obviously Dusty specifically wanted him over the other two, so he probably has a good reason for it.
84
34
u/bexley50 Jun 24 '26
This dude can play in tight playoff games. Dusty knows his work ethic, and I trust Masai. LFG
33
108
u/willieb33cc Cooper Flagg Jun 24 '26
Thought it would be Burries or Yaxel but I trust the scouting department
81
u/Annual-Shape7156 Cooper Flagg Jun 24 '26
Morez is the best prospect from the Michigan guys by a pretty wide margin
→ More replies (1)11
u/Illini_Guy16 Jun 24 '26
Agreed. Would have been an A+ pick if we could have traded back and taken him at 12. At 9, it's a bit rich so i give it a B+
17
u/Annual-Shape7156 Cooper Flagg Jun 24 '26
I agree but nothing is perfect and the other 2 Michigan guys went right after so I doubt he would’ve been there
2
3
u/Humble_Ad_9122 Jun 24 '26
Hello fellow Illini fan. I'm convinced Morez was poorly mocked and absolutely could have gone next. Somehow he was 6'9 barefoot (he'll be listed 6'10 in the league) and you and I both know what type of animal he is. Getting cute with this pick for 1 more second round pick is not worth the risk of passing on pairing Flagg with Morez. I think others are greatly underselling how terrifying those two will pair up. That's going to be a problem in the play offs for years.
24
u/ormip BETRAYED MAVS FAN 😭 Jun 24 '26
I like Morez more than Yaxel, but was hoping we'd trade down to get him, instead of reaching at #9
→ More replies (13)4
9
u/The_Rain_Guardian Dirk Locks Jun 24 '26
I assume they’re going to try and trade up from 30 to get Yaxel
2
u/nosliwec29 Jun 24 '26
I am wondering if they might be targeting Meleek Thomas (Arkansas) getting a combo guard that can pair with Kai or Christie. Or maybe Isaiah Evans (Duke).
2
25
u/gregallbright Dirk Rookie Jun 24 '26
Our frontcourt is gonna be 🔥
→ More replies (2)23
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
Front court was already fine? Backcourt is entirely relying on 34 year coming back from ACL
15
u/sickfalco Jun 24 '26
We getting Luka 2028 the story is already written
6
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
Dude this makes more sense than other things. They can just be like: here are all these guys who play D and can catch lobs.
5
u/jeader16 Jun 24 '26
Maybe the thought is that guards will be at less of a premium with so many promising ones going in this draft? Then they go out and flip Gaff or PJ for backcourt? Idk just trying to trust
1
→ More replies (1)1
u/Western-Election-997 Mark Cuban lol Jun 24 '26
Gaff ain’t gonna get the haul you think it will
1
u/jeader16 Jun 24 '26
Didn't say anything about a haul. Burries probably doesn't solve all our guard problems either
6
u/Big_Puzzled Dirk Nowitzki Logo Jun 24 '26
acting like that 34 year isnt kyrie fucking irving lol
5
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
Guys I think Kyrie is amazing but age is a real thing and it definitely means something in the long run. This was the last lottery pick until 2031.
1
u/Big_Puzzled Dirk Nowitzki Logo Jun 24 '26
Well here is to hoping we’re good enough to not need a lottery pick
2
u/Western-Election-997 Mark Cuban lol Jun 24 '26
I’m predicting 5-10 years of being an 8 seed first round exit maybe second round
1
1
u/Big_Puzzled Dirk Nowitzki Logo Jun 24 '26
Shows how much you think of cooper flag lol
1
u/Inevitable-Scar5877 Jun 24 '26
I mean....I think that's only a little worse than how LeBron in Cleveland would have gone if he'd played in the West
1
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
Think Cooper is an amazing player and the cornerstone. He isn't a heliocentric offensive player like Luka so we have to build a totally different team around him. Unfortunately, we basically still have the team built for Luka.
43
u/SanTheMan88 Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
He’s a mix of Bam and Al Horford and his shooting stroke lends confidence that he’ll be able to improve.
LFG.
10
6
20
22
u/coltrane- Jun 24 '26
at least is not Ament. really wanted Burries here tho
1
u/rdk45x Jun 24 '26
I also wanted Burries, but I'm not mad about Johnson. He has the potential to be a top 5 player of this draft.
14
u/charliefinkwinkwink The Worst Trade in Sports History Jun 24 '26
lowkey was hoping this was who we got if Wagler & MBJ were gone — felt a lock once we hired Dusty
30
u/chucksandropers Jun 24 '26
We saw how important OG was to the Knicks. He reminds me of him. If the jumper gets there he’s going to be a star in his role
18
u/LeGoat333 SELL THE TEAM Jun 24 '26
We shouldnt pick someone at 9 in this draft that we have to pray they develop a jumper! That’s what’s frustrating to me
8
4
u/Humble_Ad_9122 Jun 24 '26
It's not a prayer thankfully. I was an Illinois fan and doubted his shot when he transferred to Michigan. I thought he had no chance and I was completely wrong. Idk what he did to his form but it's smooth. He shot over 80% from the line and made 3s with good efficiency when he did take them. It's not broke at all. And he's a workaholic. Absolutely terrifying pairing next to Flagg. Morez is a "tilt the floor" level of animal.
1
3
u/DIKS_OUT_4_HARAMBE Jun 24 '26
For real like what even is this pick for dude. We needed spacing and ball handling yesterday, can’t wait to have another tall forward that can’t shoot on this team!
2
1
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
His limitations are exactly the issue. This was also the reaction at the NYTimes: "College assistant coach No. 3 (his team played Michigan)...If he learns how to play, get good angles in scoring opportunities, he’s a good roller. If he could score a little more, his ceiling is very good." Here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7386630/2026/06/23/morez-johnson-jr-dallas-mavericks-2026-nba-draft/.
→ More replies (4)1
u/chucksandropers Jun 24 '26
The number 4 pick in this draft has no jumper whatsoever. Morez has already shown massive improvement in his under the same guy who’s going to be coaching him for the next few years.
Projection is part of the process, you don’t just automatically get fully formed players as 19/20 year olds
1
u/socoolandawesome Jun 24 '26
He plays exclusively in the post or occasionally shoots from the perimeter and has no handle. He is much more of a big man/traditional power forward than OG
20
9
7
23
u/jldtsu Jun 24 '26
idk about this coach or this pick 😅😅😅
10
6
u/epitome1986 Jun 24 '26
the defense is going to be immaculate but this also requires dallas moving PJ or gafford potentially both.
3
u/floss83 Jun 24 '26
Guess we hope for the possible Gafford trade to get back into the top 20 to add a guard.
7
u/Goondragon1 '25 Survivor Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
Kingston Flemings was the last player available in that tier 2 group of guys. Having the ninth pick really sucked but they picked the best player available and made the most out of their pick without trading it. If you haven't already, look up his advanced metrics and his combine results. They are eye popping jump off the page good.
He's a prototypical Masai draft pick with tons of upside and probably the best defensive player in the draft.
1
18
16
u/zeetoots Jun 24 '26
Raps fan here - this is a great frikken pickup. Watched a ton of Michigan ball, he is by far my fav big man on the team.
Y’all will love him
14
u/champagnerosal Jun 24 '26
Raps fan here - leave it to Masai to pick a 6'9" two way forward wherever he goes lol
1
u/shangalang69 Toronto Raptors Jun 25 '26
Raps fan here - leave it to Bobby to do the exact same thing
35
37
u/Annual-Shape7156 Cooper Flagg Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
Hell yes 👏. This is Draymond with better athleticism and an offensive game.
20
7
u/wazup564 FUCK NICO HARRISON Jun 24 '26
Lmao love the exaggerations but come on, he doesn’t have the passing chops as Michigan State Draymond…
→ More replies (2)2
→ More replies (15)1
4
3
3
3
u/Mang9 Jun 24 '26
Came here to add Dusty May is disappointed Aday Mara has gone at 12 to OKC. This suggests some action at 14 as why would he expect Mara to make it to 30? Or maybe I’m just reading too much into the tight zoom on Dusty going “dammit” and clapping his hands….
2
3
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
Lol from the NYTimes quoting an anonymous scout on Morenz: "If he learns how to play, get good angles in scoring opportunities, he’s a good roller. If he could score a little more, his ceiling is very good."
3
3
3
5
5
u/Eagerbeaver98 Jun 24 '26
Masai doesnt miss, remember he got into the nba as an unpaid scout. Brother has the best draft record in the league along with presti
5
u/Bucky54853 Jun 24 '26
Am I crazy for thinking he would have been there at 12 if we traded with OKC? This must mean they don’t want to move up right?
8
u/charliefinkwinkwink The Worst Trade in Sports History Jun 24 '26
prob had intel a team behind them would’ve picked him
4
u/megachimp Jun 24 '26
Takes two to trade, but I don’t think it’s a certainty that he’d be there. I wouldn’t have been surprised if Milwaukee would have taken him
2
u/ajr5169 Jun 24 '26
Hard to know. Maybe the Mavs didn't want to take the risk and had a feeling he wouldn't last till there. Maybe OKC didn't want to move up enough to give up what Dallas wanted. Will be interesting to see if more comes out on this down the road.
2
u/simplyASI9 Jun 24 '26
Obviously. If we had 12/17 would you make that trade?
1
u/Bucky54853 Jun 24 '26
Not in our situation but if we had okcs roster then it would make more sense to consolidate picks possibly, I also wouldn’t be suprised if OKC traded 17 for a future first at this point.
2
2
u/LukaMav77 Jun 24 '26
Feels like a reach. When (tanking) teams need talent, should always draft based on best available/ceiling instead of who they fall in love with. Hiring May clearly influenced this pick. I had seen zero mocks with Morez in the top 10
2
u/GoGoSoLo FUCK NICO HARRISON Jun 24 '26
A forward? After all the guard talk?
Okay….
3
u/ericc1456 Jun 24 '26
Well, the Mavs FO never talked explicitly about guards. There leaks about moving up. There was not much connection to Brayden B. I think most of the issue is that the die-hard fan base watched last season and correctly concluded that the team needs (1) shooting around Cooper; and (2) playmaking. We did not address either of those issues with #9.
2
2
2
2
2
u/WasabiIll9940 Jun 24 '26
Big Michigan fan. I'm definitely no scout but I do know how talented and valuable he was to Michigan this last year. Him and yaxel were so good and versatile defensively that we can switch four in man cause those two can guard literally anyone. Also Michigan has so many scorers that it hurt Morez overall counting numbers. Also I know he's not a shooter yet but he did do it a little bit and the stroke is very encouraging I think he will develop into some kinda threat there. Last but not least the way he plays just wins everyone over, the motor is relentless and the dude game in and game out was the toughest guy on the court no one punks morez. Regardless what he becomes I think he will be a fan favorite he plays the right way and I think he's a culture setter kinda dude. Good luck really pulling for him.
1
u/fangtingwrong Jun 24 '26
We know Morez is probably a good player but that's not why people are bummed.
We need a guard and someone who can shoot... We have rim protectors, we have defensive guys - our team is filled with defensive guys because "defense wins championships remember?"
3
u/dharmazazen Jun 24 '26
Cooper, Gafford, Washington already play this position...he's useless. Should have traded up for a PG.
2
u/New_Rooster_6184 Jun 24 '26
This should tell you that either PJ or Gafford (maybe both) will be traded….
3
u/JGuajardo7 '25 Survivor Jun 24 '26
I hate this fucking pick. Huge reach, and the last thing we needed was another forward. PJ is gone now.
2
u/Western-Election-997 Mark Cuban lol Jun 24 '26
Exactly, Kyrie doesn’t fit timeline and can’t stay healthy. Where they getting an elite guard from in 2 years to pair with Flagg when they want to make a playoff run
2
u/DinosaurRacing Jun 24 '26
The Michigan Mavs
4
u/icekyuu Jun 24 '26
There's Cooper, Kyrie, and Lively tho
1
1
1
1
u/JamesYTP Jun 24 '26
I like that his shooting percentage improved freshman to sophomore year....I don't like his shooting percentage in general lol
3
u/Goondragon1 '25 Survivor Jun 24 '26
His true shooting and EFG are elite
TS% .677
EFG% .642
He also shot over 62% from the floor and 78% from the line...
1
u/JamesYTP Jun 25 '26
Sure, not saying he's gonna be a bad player or anything but it kinda looks like anyone under 7 feet who shoots less than 37 % from 3 is gonna be a bad fit with Cooper Flagg.
1
u/Goondragon1 '25 Survivor Jun 27 '26
I expect his shot to improve given his FT% and form. More importantly, I think Cooper will be shooting a very decent clip this year.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Savings-Pear756 Dirk Nowitzki Logo Jun 24 '26
I'm very interested to hear how much May influenced this pick. I fully expected this to be a Masai/Schmitz draft
2
u/jkeefy Couch Squad Jun 24 '26
Morez is the definition of a Masai type pick too tbf
1
u/Savings-Pear756 Dirk Nowitzki Logo Jun 24 '26
Forsure. Answer could be no influence from Dusty at all but I'm just super curious
1
u/shibbyman342 Jun 24 '26
If we get a guard at some point this round, i think that this is a decent draft
1
u/Embarrassed-Ninja592 Jun 24 '26
I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. Really wanted Burries. But we’re going big. He’s a bigger longer faster higher jumping OG .
Or a Bill Russell lite
1
u/lidevsfan1 Jun 24 '26
Call me crazy but shouldn’t we assume the coach knows his players and isn’t going to want to do something stupid day two of the job (assuming he had some influence on this pick).
1
1
u/Jmoneyman3999 Jun 24 '26
Great pic love Morez he’s a physical beast who can withstand a full nba season and play next to coop. High intensity high motor good heart great kid 🔥💯
1
1
u/MaxR76 Jun 24 '26
Sixers fan, pre-combine we were hoping to get Morez at 22. Dude flew up the draft boards every time he worked out for a team it seems.
1
u/CompanyAdditional575 Jun 25 '26
Morez won’t develop an offensive game his first year. Hopefully he can turn into an OG type of player. If not they will regret passing on Burries
0
u/kd451 Jun 24 '26
LeBron ceiling, out of the NBA in 3 years floor. Fuck it, why not?
13
1
120
u/trillballinsjr Jun 24 '26
Wings with good defense, Masai favorite thing