What happened: The Dallas Mavericks selected Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the ninth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The frontcourt addition lands in Dallas as the franchise stocks its roster for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

Why it matters: The pick reunites Johnson with Dusty May, just named the Mavericks head coach, pairing a known player-coach relationship with a top-10 selection. A lottery pick at this slot signals Dallas is building its frontcourt around developmental upside heading into a new era on the bench.

What to watch: Watch for Johnson's role in Summer League and how the Mavericks structure their frontcourt rotation under May ahead of training camp.