Mavericks' Morez Johnson Jr. pick checks every box Masai Ujiri loves

New Dallas Mavericks basketball overlord Masai Ujiri was extremely committed to searching for a particular archetype of player when he was building a champion with the Toronto Raptors. Ujiri loves versatile forwards who can defend multiple spots and score inside, and Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. seemed like the 2026 NBA Draft prospect that fits that particular bill as well as anyone.

With the No. 9 overall pick in the Draft, Ujiri made perhaps the first real stunner by selecting Johnson. While reuniting him with his old college coach in the recently hired Dusty May, his going off the board before Yaxel Lendeborg and Aday Mara (picked by the Warriors and Thunder, respectively) is likely to get many of the NBA Draft prognosticators up in arms.

If one could draw up on a board what the ideal Ujiri prospect would look like, that hypothetical player may not be that different from Johnson. Even with some missteps in the last few years, Ujiri's scouting eye has largely proven to be quite keen, and he has earned that reputation by turning multiple players like Johnson into proven stars.

Mavericks' Morez Johnson Jr. pick is classic Masai Ujiri drafting

In many ways, Johnson was the only Wolverine who made sense for Ujiri. The 7-4 Mara is a pure center who may clash with Dereck Lively, and Lendeborg is an older player with a style of play eerily similar to that of Cooper Flagg. Dallas needed an old-school power forward with muscle and edge on defense, and that's what Johnson provides.

Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season, blocking 1.1 shots and tallying 0.7 steals per game in the process. The interior finished (62% field goal percentage) stands out, but he may be the best on-ball defending forward in this class, and Ujiri undoubtedly loved that more than Lendeborg's shooting or Mara's size at No. 9.

However, as many Raptors fans can attest, Ujiri has often taken chances on players with shooting concerns with the thought that his coaching staff can improve their overall offensive game. Sometimes, you get a Scottie Barnes or OG Anunoby. However, there are some Precious Achiuwas mixed in there. Which path will Johnson take?

Raptors fans may know "Vision 6-9" well. Ujiri has tried to add as many players like Johnson to his teams as possible, with the results ranging from being a mid-tier play-in team to an NBA champion. With that knowledge, Johnson was made for Dallas.

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