Morez Johnson Jr.’s path to a big role in Dallas is far easier thanks to Dusty May

Many media members and fans have been skeptical regarding how Morez Johnson Jr. is going to get a defined role in the Dallas Mavericks' rotation after Dallas selected him No. 9 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, as the Mavericks already have a crowded frontcourt with P.J. Washington, Santi Aldama, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Moussa Cisse.

In another situation, this could be a roadblock for a young big man selected in the lottery, but with Johnson Jr. getting the continuity and backing of his head coach, Dusty May, it's clear he could play a big role in his first season despite Dallas' logjam down low.

May gives Johnson Jr. an advantage in earning a role in Dallas' rotation

“Morez, who I obviously coached, can play a number of positions, and he can guard all five positions, which allows you to have more lineup versatility," May said on 105.3 The Fan on “K&C Masterpiece".

While May didn't directly say Johnson Jr. is going to have a huge role for the Mavericks next season, it makes sense that he doesn't just envision a reserve role at the back end of the bench for Johnson Jr. if one reads through the tea leaves here.

Many Mavericks fans already know May coached Johnson Jr. at the University of Michigan in a National Championship season for the Wolverines last season, and even though May should put all bias aside when constructing the best possible rotation for Dallas, one would think he's going to especially pour into his young big man who is following him to his NBA debut.

On top of that, May sees Johnson Jr. as a player who can guard all five positions effectively at the NBA level, which is simply a rare archetype of player in today's game, especially for someone of Johnson's stature, being that he's 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds.

Johnson Jr.'s defense could give him a clear role in the NBA

Of course, Johnson Jr. will have to prove this at the next level, as it won't be as easy to carry over the same defensive prowess he showed in college once he gets to the pros. The point is clear, though, May won't be able to keep Johnson Jr. off the floor if he can prove to be at that level as a defender next season.

Even if Johnson Jr. still has a ways to go in terms of fully developing offensively, and Dallas' aforementioned crowded frontcourt provides challenges to him in terms of landing a big role, he'll at least be a viable Swiss-army knife off the bench if he can guard one through five.

It's impossible to say what role Johnson Jr. is going to play for the Mavericks next season at this point, especially since Gafford could be shopped ahead of the trade deadline. But even in a funky situation where there's a lot of positional overlap at the four and five, Johnson Jr. has an opportunity to take advantage of a favorable situation because of a coach who already believes in his ability and potential in May.

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