Morez Johnson Jr.'s best position for Mavericks isn't what he's listed at

While it may seem like Morez Johnson Jr.'s best position for the Dallas Mavericks moving forward is power forward, as he's 6-foot-9 and frequently listed as a four, this is not the case. While Johnson Jr. has the versatility and upside as a shooter to play some power forward, his potential at center is far more intriguing.

Johnson Jr. mostly played power forward at Michigan

Last season at Michigan under Dusty May, Johnson Jr. played power forward most of the time. Aday Mara, the Oklahoma City Thunder's 7-foot-3 lottery pick, was the team's primary center, and Johnson Jr. was May's power forward.

This supersized frontcourt worked wonders for May and Michigan, as the Wolverines won their first National Championship since 1989. Johnson Jr. played a key role, as he averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting 62.3 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from beyond the arc.

He provided May with versatile defense, relentless effort, and strong rebounding, and while he succeeded most as a four in college, he's in a perfect spot to play minutes at center for the Mavericks.

Why the Mavericks quietly need Johnson Jr. to play center

While Dallas' center rotation is strong on paper, there are several variables that could thrust Johnson Jr. into a crucial role at center right away. The Mavericks' top two big men, Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, each have glaring questions about them ahead of next season.

Can Lively II stay healthy after playing just seven games last season? Will Dallas finally trade Gafford this season after he's been in trade rumors multiple times over the last few years?

Lively II may not even be ready for the start of next season as he recovers from a foot surgery from December of 2025 and Gafford was in trade rumors as recently as earlier this offseason. Both players' uncertain futures give Johnson Jr. a clear path to being an effective center for the Mavs.

Johnson Jr. has the size to play center in the NBA

At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-3.5 wingspan, Johnson Jr. has the build to play center. Just look at how his combine measurements compare to other big men in the NBA. Miami's Bam Adebayo measured in at 6-foot-8.75 with a 7-foot-2.75 wingspan, while Al Horford measured at 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-0.75 wingspan.

Johnson Jr. is taller and lengthier than both of these players who have been stars at center in the league, and his skill set will help him effectively play this position as well.

Johnson Jr.'s skill set is perfect for a center

He is a brick wall when defending the paint. Oposing bigs have a hard time when trying to back him down in the post, and his physicality inside gives him an edge. He also moves his feet well on the perimeter and excels at switching when defending the pick and roll. Defense will never be a problem for the 20-year-old former Wolverine, making him a strong long-term fit next to Cooper Flagg.

On the other end, Johnson Jr.'s skill set also mirrors a center's.

He was mostly a play finisher while at Michigan, with his strengths being finishing inside and offensive rebounding. Johnson Jr.'s turnaround jump shot also continues to improve, as shown by his performance for Dallas during NBA Summer League, but his 3-point shooting may take a few years before it becomes consistent.

He shot less than a 3-pointer per game last season for Michigan and didn't shoot a single three during his freshman season at Illinois.

These factors, combined with Dallas being way overloaded on the wing and at the four, makes Johnson Jr. a clear fit at center for the future. The Mavs have less insurance than it seems at center, and Johnson Jr. seems built to anchor the team's defense at the five for years to come.

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