Dereck Lively II absence should thrust Morez Johnson Jr. into Mavericks' starting five

The Dallas Mavericks will be without Dereck Lively II for the start of training camp this weekend, as the fourth-year center is still recovering from foot surgery that he underwent in December of last year. With Lively's status uncertain for the start of the regular season, Dallas should consider starting Morez Johnson Jr. during his absence.

Morez Johnson Jr. is ready to be a starter

Johnson Jr. averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game as a sophomore at Michigan while shooting 62.3 percent from the field, and he seems like Dallas' most defensively versatile center outside of Lively. His lateral quickness, strength, and physicality help him effectively defend one through five, and the Mavericks' defense would not regress much if they swapped D-Live for Rez.

One of the best parts about Lively's defense is his ability to switch in the pick-and-roll, and this happens to be one of Johnson Jr.'s strengths as well. While he's at his best defending bigger-bodied forwards inside the arc, he can hold his own when stepping out to contain guards on the perimeter as well. The former Wolverine never gives up on a play, and his hustle and energy at the five would help energize his team as they journey through year one of the Dusty May era.

There's a clear case to start Daniel Gafford instead

One of the biggest knocks on starting Johnson Jr. right away would be that Daniel Gafford is the safer option. Quite honestly, he may be the better option right now.

It's hard to say that Johnson Jr. is better than Gafford before he even plays a game. Gafford is an established big man as he enters his eighth season in the association, and he has already shown the Mavericks why they should trust him.

He was the starting center during their run to the 2024 NBA Finals and has started 96 regular-season games for Dallas over the last two seasons. Gafford has been productive in every role that the team has assigned him since acquiring him as part of a trade with the Washington Wizards in 2024, but May could consider starting Johnson Jr. if Lively isn't ready to go for the start of the season.

Why starting Johnson Jr. fits the Mavericks' future vision

May coached Johnson Jr. last season at Michigan, and their connection is undeniable. The Mavs' new head coach has harped on Rez's effect on winning, and considering Dallas' situation, they're in an ideal position to start him right away.

It's not like the Mavericks will be competing for an NBA championship, and they used a top-10 pick to draft Johnson Jr. Inserting him into the starting lineup will help him learn on the fly, gain on-court chemistry with Cooper Flagg, and test if he is ready to be a starter.

Dallas doesn't need to rush Johnson Jr.'s development by any means, and it could take a few years to know if they made the right choice in picking him, but it seems like the smartest move to give him the starting center role. The Mavericks are building for the future, and giving your coveted lottery pick the starting nod over a player who has been in trade rumors this offseason would be a move that further emphasizes their vision to form a future contender.

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