What happened: The Dallas Mavericks selected Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick. The choice reunites Johnson with Dusty May, who coached him in college before taking over as Mavericks head coach this offseason.

Why it matters: The pick follows reporting that May was expected to target a Michigan player at No. 9, and it lets the new staff fast-track a frontcourt piece who already knows the system. May is the first college coach to make the NBA jump since John Beilein in 2019, and leaning on a familiar player gives Dallas a continuity anchor as he installs his program.

What to watch: Watch how Johnson slots into the Mavericks' frontcourt rotation and what Dallas does with its remaining picks as May builds out the roster for the 2026 season.