Dallas Mavericks fans had reason to lean in when Dusty May first said ninth overall pick Morez Johnson Jr. had been limited in training camp without spelling out why. On Wednesday, May offered a clearer explanation, saying the issue is “a lower leg soreness.
We’re just managing his workload. I think today he was in every other live session.”
That update should calm at least some of the concern around Johnson, even if the exact nature of the soreness still isn’t fully clear. Johnson also missed the final few games of Summer League with calf soreness, so the two issues could be connected.
The bigger takeaway from May’s comments is that Johnson is still taking part in most of what matters. For a young player, those live sessions are where the real learning happens - getting used to the pace, the physicality, and the demands of NBA play. The sooner he gets fully up to speed, the better his chances of showing he belongs in the rotation.
There was already some debate around Dallas taking Johnson at No. 9. The Mavericks entered with a crowded frontcourt and a clear need for guard help, which made the pick look surprising to some analysts, especially with Brayden Burries and Labaron Philon still available.
Still, new team president Masai Ujiri clearly likes his forwards, and the move drew comparisons to the Toronto Raptors’ selection of Colin Murray-Boyles last year.
For Johnson, the path forward starts with the parts of his game that need the most work. His three-point shot has to improve if he’s going to stick as an NBA power forward, which is why an early role at center may make more sense.
Even there, though, Dallas is already loaded. Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Moussa Cisse, Santi Aldama and Dwight Powell all give the Mavericks plenty of bodies in the middle, with Lively’s health still a question.
P.J. Washington had plenty of praise for Johnson after Thursday’s practice.
“He's a dog. He's a bully out there.
He's strong," Washington said. "He knows what we want to do each and every possession.
He talks on both ends, and he's willing to learn. He's in here every day early, trying to get better.”
Johnson’s best early path to earning minutes may come on the defensive end. He has the athleticism to handle the perimeter and the strength to hold his ground inside, which gives him a chance to contribute in different matchups right away.
In Other News...
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The Mavericks may have more leverage than they expected from the Luka Doncic deal, and it could come in the form of Max Christie. The guard landed in Dallas as part of the blockbuster with the Lakers, and his early work with the Mavericks has been enough to keep him in the conversation as a useful rotation piece rather than a throw-in from a larger swap.
Los Angeles is already in training camp for the 2026 season and still looking at ways to shore up its wing group, which is why Christie has surfaced as a name to watch. If the Lakers decide their current wing production is not enough, they could circle back before the Feb. 11 trade deadline, and Dallas would have to weigh whether its latest Luka-era asset is becoming too valuable to move. [Read more 🡒]
Former Mavericks Guard Just Landed A Real NBA Opportunity Elsewhere
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For Nembhard, the appeal goes beyond simply landing on an NBA roster. Denver has spent time identifying players who can fit into meaningful roles without costing much, and that gives him a chance to develop around proven veterans such as Jamal Murray while competing for minutes in a situation that could reward steady growth. [Read more 🡒]
Mavericks Still Have One Big Rotation Question Around Kyrie And Flagg
Training camp has given the Mavericks a fresh look under Dusty May, with Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg expected to be on the floor together as Dallas sorts out how the pieces fit. The new coach is still digging through options, mixing and matching lineups while the group gets its first real reps together and new arrivals like Zaccharie Risacher and Sergio de Larrea settle into NBA life.
The biggest short-term issue is less about star power than about finding a workable rotation around it, especially with several frontcourt players not fully available. Morez Johnson Jr. has been limited by lower-leg soreness, while Santi Aldama and Dereck Lively II are also dealing with leg-related injuries, leaving Dallas with enough talent to dream about the season ahead but still plenty to sort out before the opener. [Read more 🡒]