Mavericks need to pull the plug on this failed prospect experiment

When the Dallas Mavericks traded Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards at the deadline, the return was always going to feel underwhelming, especially compared to what Dallas gave up to get him.

AJ Johnson is struggling to make an impact with the Mavericks

Still, beyond the veteran pieces they acquired, one name stood out: AJ Johnson. A former first-round pick who has yet to establish himself, Johnson now finds himself on his third team in two seasons, and looking every bit like a player destined to carry the “former first-rounder” label. That’s not a compliment. Just 23 games into his Dallas tenure, it’s already fair to wonder if the Mavericks should cut their losses.

Johnson didn’t get much of a leash after arriving in Dallas, averaging just 10.4 minutes per game, but he showed little reason to deserve one. He put up just 3.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, shooting 32.3 percent from the field and an alarming 15.6 percent from beyond the arc.

The 21-year-old put up bigger numbers in G League action, 19.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, but the same issues followed him. The efficiency remained shaky (47.7 percent from the field, 31.8 percent from three), and his lack of physicality stood out, with just 1.2 free throw attempts per game and frequent defensive lapses.

Johnson's tools haven't translated to the NBA

Johnson has an intriguing blend of athleticism and positional versatility, but very little that translates into consistent production. At 6-foot-5, he’s built like a shooting guard, yet at roughly 160 pounds, he lacks the strength to defend most two-guards, let alone wings. His explosiveness shows up as an above-the-rim finisher, but the overall package feels mismatched.

That’s the disconnect with Johnson. He passes the eye test, but the actual production and skill level lag far behind.

He’s one of the fastest players in the league in the open floor, yet lacks the burst and control to break down defenses in the half-court, relying on a herky-jerky style that rarely creates advantages. Despite elite vertical pop, his jumper is still a set shot. The result is an extremely limited offensive game. Through two seasons, he’s attempted just nine shots outside of layups, dunks, or threes.

Johnson was always a gamble that never made sense

Perhaps most telling, Johnson was never viewed as a first-round talent to begin with. A top-50 recruit in 2023, he skipped college for the NBL’s Illawarra Hawks and managed just 2.9 points in 8.3 minutes per game. Even so, the Milwaukee Bucks reached, selecting him in the first round, despite most projections placing him in the late second, purely as a long-term upside swing.

Two years later, Johnson is still more of an idea than an impact player. He's an upside play without a clear role. And on the Mavericks' roster, it’s fair to ask where he fits. He has two years remaining on his rookie deal, but has already been traded twice and shown little development.

Meanwhile, Dallas has found value elsewhere, uncovering undrafted contributors like Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams. Add in the return of Kyrie Irving from a torn ACL and the likelihood of another guard entering the mix via a top-10 pick, and Johnson’s path to minutes becomes even murkier.

At some point, upside has to turn into production, and for Dallas, that point may already have passed.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow