Mavericks' Morez Johnson Jr. pick suddenly looks riskier

The Dallas Mavericks drafted Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and while he has had a strong start to Summer League, Milwaukee Bucks guard Brayden Burries is suddenly making a case that Dallas should've drafted him instead.

Every big game from Burries will make Dallas' decision to take Johnson Jr. look even riskier, as the Mavericks drafted a player with long-term upside rather than the one who fit a more immediate need in Burries.

Burries is already testing the Mavs' decision to draft Johnson Jr.

Burries was drafted by Milwaukee with the No. 10 pick, one pick after Johnson Jr., and he has looked spectacular. He finished with 26 points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks on Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs, and this performance showed why he was such a highly coveted prospect during the pre-draft process.

Burries' 3-point shooting, defensive playmaking, and overall versatility were on display in this game, and he has been extremely impactful in every Summer League game he has played thus far. The former Arizona Wildcat even looks better than some of the guards drafted in front of him, such as Kingston Flemings and Darius Acuff Jr.

Burries is ready to contribute at the NBA level, and Mavericks fans will be wishing Dallas selected him if he continues to rise and Johnson Jr.'s production slows down.

Dallas has a logjam in the frontcourt with Johnson Jr.

Don't get it twisted. Johnson Jr. has been spectacular for the Mavericks through two Summer League games. He kicked things off with a 27-point performance against the Golden State Warriors last Thursday. The 6-foot-9 forward was finishing everything inside, relentlessly crashing the glass, and providing elite defense. He already looks like he will be a dream fit next to Cooper Flagg, but the inevitable frontcourt logjam is why many Mavs fans preferred Burries before the draft.

Dallas is overloaded at power forward with Johnson Jr. on the roster, as P.J. Washington, Johnson Jr., and Santi Aldama will all be fighting for minutes. This is a lot of minutes to go around for three talented players, and this could mean a trade is on the way.

Burries was a clear short-term fit

Drafting a player like Burries, though, wouldn't have required a trade. He would've slotted in as the Mavericks' starting shooting guard alongside Kyrie Irving, as his off-ball shooting has been one of his many strengths here in Las Vegas. The Bucks' guard is deadly off the catch, and his secondary playmaking has shone thus far. He can make reads in real time, even making some tough passes that take extreme skill.

The Mavericks need more guard depth, and from a need perspective, Burries was the right pick at No. 9. Dallas, though, was drafting based on the future rather than filling holes on the current roster, and they passed on a player in Burries whom they were heavily linked to before the draft.

There was real buzz that he wanted to be a Maverick, but Dallas decided to look elsewhere by drafting Johnson Jr. The former Michigan Wolverine has looked strong through two games, but their decision to pass on Burries and draft him will continue to look like more of a gamble if Burries keeps playing like a future star.

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