The Dallas Mavericks selected Michigan forward/center Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick before later acquiring No. 25 overall pick point guard Sergio De Larrea in a multi-team trade.
Dallas made Johnson the ninth overall selection after a breakout season at Michigan, where he played a pivotal role in leading the Wolverines to the 2026 NCAA National Championship under May. Johnson averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks while shooting 62.3% from the floor across 40 starts. He earned Second-Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors as Michigan finished with a program-best 37-3 record.
“Morez brings the type of toughness and competitiveness that we’re looking for.” GM Mike Schmitz said after the first round. “High energy guy, incredible motor, winner. Has done it at the highest level of college basketball and did so as a 20 year old too… big night for us.”
Johnson has a combination of strength, mobility, and defensive versatility that projects well to the modern NBA. At 6’9” and 255 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Johnson has the tools to guard multiple positions while providing physicality in the paint. His ability to switch onto perimeter players, rebound at a high level, and finish efficiently around the rim made him one of the most intriguing frontcourt prospects in the draft. The potential of a frontcourt featuring Cooper Flagg, Johnson, and Dereck Lively II is intriguing, with defensive versatility, length, athleticism, and rebounding to give the franchise a disruptive young defensive unit.
Offensively, Johnson remains a developing player, but there are encouraging signs of long-term upside. He showed flashes of floor spacing by shooting over 34% from three-point range. Schmitz said he looks for Johnson to expand his perimeter game in the NBA.
His arrival also reunites him with Dusty May, the coach who helped led Michigan to a national championship just months ago.
Later in the first round, the Mavericks acquired the rights to Sergio De Larrea as part of a four-team trade involving Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and New York Knicks.
Lakers
•No. 24 overall Cameron Carr
Mavs
•No. 25 overall Sergio De Larrea
Suns
•No. 30 overall Koa Peat
Knicks
•No. 47 overall (Suns)
•2029 Second Round pick (Suns)
•2033 Second Round pick (Suns)
•2 future Second Round picks (Mavs)
•Cash (Lakers)
Schmitz couldn’t speak on the pending trade but De Larrea arrives as one of the most accomplished international prospects in the 2026 draft class. The 20-year-old Spanish guard is widely regarded for his elite basketball IQ, advanced playmaking ability, and mature approach to the game.
Standing 6’6” with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, De Larrea offers exceptional size for a point guard. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in just 18 minutes per game in Spain’s Liga ACB while shooting an impressive 40.7% from three-point range. He also gained valuable experience competing in the EuroLeague against some of the best professional competition outside the NBA.
De Larrea’s game is built on feel, vision, and patience. He excels as a pick-and-roll playmaker, creating opportunities for teammates. His ability to control tempo, make advanced reads, and knock down perimeter shots gives him a skill set that should fit well within the offensive system of the Mavs.
The primary concern surrounding De Larrea is athleticism, especially on the defensive need, defending quicker guards in the NBA. However, his size, shooting, and playmaking make him an intriguing long-term developmental piece.
The Mavericks entered draft night looking to add young talent who fit Flagg’s timeline and provide long-term upside. Johnson gives Dallas a physical, defense-first forward who is expanding his offensive game, while De Larrea is a highly skilled guard with the size, shooting and basketball IQ to develop into a valuable contributor.
The Mavericks also selected forward Tobi Lawal with the No. 48 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The 6’8” forward averaged 12.3 points (.542 FG%, .763 FT%), 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game during his senior season with Virginia Tech in 2025-26.
Mavericks ended the night with trading cash to the Lakers for the No. 56 overall pick Vsevolod Ishchenko.
Ishchenko is a 6-foot-8 wing from Russia. A VTB United League All-Star and Young Player of the Year, he shot 45.1% from three.