The Mavericks may have taken heat on draft night, but their decision to use the No. 9 pick on Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. is looking a lot smarter after what he did against Golden State in Las Vegas.
Johnson’s pro debut was the kind of performance that turns skepticism into second-guessing. He poured in 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting and added eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Dallas lost the game, but Johnson was the clear standout on the floor.
That showing came after plenty of draft-night criticism. Plenty of observers saw the pick as a reach, especially with Johnson coming off a college season in which he averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds. The biggest concern centered on whether he could address Dallas’ outside-shooting issues.
The front office, though, clearly saw something different during the pre-draft process. Johnson had just been coached to a college national championship by new head coach Dusty May, and that connection appears to have mattered.
Kevin O'Connor relayed a line from May’s staff: "We have 'Rez, and they don't." Draft analyst Rich Stayman also said Mavericks fans have every reason to be excited about the rookie.
What makes Johnson so intriguing is how he fits without needing the offense built around him. He brings energy, runs the floor, attacks the glass, and finishes around missed shots. That style lets him work alongside Cooper Flagg without crowding the same spaces.
For a pick that drew plenty of skepticism at the time, Johnson’s first night in a Mavericks uniform gave the team plenty of reason to feel good about the gamble.
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