The Dallas Mavericks select Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The selection reunites Johnson with Dusty May, who is now Mavericks head coach after replacing Jason Kidd. According to the reports, Johnson’s move to Dallas was a notable development because of his connection to May from their time at Michigan. All accounts describe the draft pick as a surprise positioning for Johnson, but they consistently link it to May’s arrival in Dallas. The Mavericks’ hiring of May is presented as occurring the day before, setting up the reunion between the coach and player. The coverage also frames the pick as part of May’s early roster-building with a former Michigan player joining him in Texas. No additional details about contract terms, immediate role expectations, or other draft selections are included in the provided summaries.