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Fans react after new Dallas Mavericks head coach Dusty May is seen on screen during a 2026 NBA Draft watch party at The Echo Lounge on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in Dallas.<\/p>\n
El\u00edas Valverde II\/The Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
The\u00a0NBA draft <\/a>is finally here.<\/p>\n The Dallas Mavericks hold two first-round picks this year. They already surprised some people with their first selection as they drafted Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. at No. 9 overall<\/a>. To close out the night, the Mavericks reportedly acquired Spain’s Sergio De Larrea.<\/a><\/p>\n Follow along for live updates about the Mavericks and other big draft news on Day 1 of the NBA draft.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u2014 Dallas Mavericks select Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. with 9th overall pick in 2026 NBA draft<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mavericks acquire Spain’s Sergio De Larrea after draft night trade with Knicks, report says<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Why Masai Ujiri says Dusty May was the right coach for the Mavericks<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u2014 Who is Morez Johnson Jr.? Five things to know about the Mavericks’ 9th overall pick<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Who is Sergio De Larrea? 5 things to know about the draft prospect reportedly joining the Mavs<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 \u2018We have Rez and they don\u2019t\u2019: See Dusty May’s scouting report on the Mavericks’ Morez Johnson Jr.<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 National reaction to Mavericks’ selection of Morez Johnson Jr.: The Michigan Mavs?<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n With the 30th overall pick, the Mavericks (technically) selected Arizona forward Koa Peat. ESPN’s Shams Charania<\/a> later reported that the New York Knicks had traded Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea to Dallas for Peat and two second-round draft picks. The Knicks then traded Peat to the Phoenix Suns.<\/p>\n The former Michigan forward spoke to reporters after he was drafted by the Mavericks. He answered questions about Dusty May, Cooper Flagg and more. Read what he said below:<\/p>\n What was your reaction the other day when you saw Dusty May left Michigan to go to Dallas, and now to get drafted by him, how surreal was that?<\/strong><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Morez Johnson Jr.:<\/strong> “Thank you. I was insanely shocked when I saw Dusty was going to be coach of the Mavs. I did not see it coming at all. And now for him to be my coach again, I’m excited. I’m excited.<\/p>\n “It’s insane. We just won a national championship together. I can’t wait to get there and go to work with him again and ultimately win again.” I heard you earlier calling out, the Michigan\u00a0Mavs are ready. What are you going to take bringing that Michigan national championship team, what is that chemistry you can bring to the Dallas Mavericks with the coach? Johnson:<\/strong> “Coach Dusty had us very close last year. That was the closest team I ever been a part of. Coach May is going to focus on defense and bringing defense to the Mavs. We were the No. 1 defensive team in the country last year. So I can’t wait to lock in with my brothers.” How do you feel about hooking up with Cooper\u00a0Flagg and what kind of things are you guys capable of? Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Johnson:<\/strong> “I think it can get dangerous, us two on the court at the same time. I’ve been playing against Coop for a very long time. I’m very excited and happy that I’m on the same side as him. Get some wins together.<\/p>\n “Have I known him before the draft? Yeah, yeah. We’re the same age. Played AAU and stuff like that.” How do you feel about some of your other Michigan guys getting drafted after you? Johnson:<\/strong> “It’s crazy. I’m so happy for those guys. We talked about it during the season. We got our ultimate goal of winning the national championship and we just got drafted together, all lottery picks. I’m proud of my brothers, and I’m very excited to see what our future has for us.”<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n We’re inching closer to the Mavericks’ second first-round pick. Alabama standout Labaron Philon Jr. is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers at 22nd overall.<\/p>\n Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki took some time to congratulate the NBA’s newest German draftee. With the 14th overall pick, the Charlotte Hornets selected big man Hannes Steinbach. Like Nowitzki, Steinbach is from W\u00fcrzburg, Germany.<\/p>\n Steinbach’s father, Burkhard, was previously a teammate of Nowitzki’s in Germany. ESPN aired a congratulatory video from Nowitzki for Steinbach after he was drafted, but the audio couldn’t be heard as the network dealt with technical difficulties.<\/p>\n Shortly after the Mavericks selected Johnson, two more of Dusty May’s Michigan players went off the board. Yaxel Lendeborg was selected by the Golden State Warriors at 11th overall, while Aday Mara went to the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 12.<\/p>\n The Mavericks went with a familiar name for new head coach Dusty May. With the ninth overall pick, the Mavericks selected Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. <\/a>With the selection, it\u2019s clear the Mavericks prioritized versatility and length and believe the 20-year-old will become the \u201cdifference-maker\u201d they need, as new general manager Mike Schmitz told The Dallas Morning News last month.<\/p>\n The draft’s top guard prospects are starting to come off the board. A potential Mavericks target in Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. goes to Brooklyn with the sixth overall pick.<\/p>\n The top five teams have made their selections: AJ Dybantsa goes to Washington, Darryn Peterson goes to Utah, Cam Boozer goes to Memphis, Caleb Wilson goes to Chicago and Keaton Wagler joins the Clippers at No. 5<\/p>\n The Washington Wizards have selected BYU’s AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick. Utah holds the second pick and Memphis will select at third overall.<\/p>\n Mavericks team president Masai Ujiri is speaking to reporters ahead of the draft’s first round. He’ll talk about the hiring of Dusty May as head coach.<\/p>\n Asked Masai Ujiri about hiring Dusty May as Mavs coach:<\/p>\n \u201cDusty stood out in many ways. I saw him in Chicago in the predraft camp & observed him. Talking to people & it\u2019s a different ball game with NIL & college & how you operate with youth. It\u2019s almost like a professional league\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/Zzgy9h9I1m<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) June 23, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Michigan stars Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. are hoping to hear their names called early in tonight’s draft. Before they move on to the NBA, they spoke to ESPN about what Dusty May brings to the Mavericks as head coach.<\/p>\n Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg on what Dusty May brings to the Mavs (via ESPN):<\/p>\n “He’s a guy who really cares for your well-being, not just what you can do for him on the court. He puts away all that stuff aside and steps in like a father-figure role and really cares.”<\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) June 23, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. on what Dusty May brings to the Mavs (via ESPN):<\/p>\n “He brings consistency. He’s going to show up and be the same guy everyday. He’s gonna set the standard, but he’s also going to follow the standard as well. He’s not just gonna say something & do\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) June 23, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Interesting nugget of info on this year’s draft: There will be 60 picks for the first time since 2021. Last year’s draft included 59 picks & the previous three featured 58. In each of the last four drafts, at least one team was stripped of their 2nd round pick for violating free\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) June 23, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The Stein Line reported early Tuesday<\/a> that the Mavericks are anticipated to keep the No. 9 overall pick after a previous report that they were considering trading up or down in the lottery.\u00a0<\/p>\n Houston guard Kingston Flemings, a potential pick by the Mavericks, published a letter to NBA GMs in The Players’ Tribune Tuesday morning hours before hearing his name called in the first round.<\/p>\n Pending any trades, the Mavericks enter the draft with three selections, two of which will come Tuesday.<\/p>\n Round 1, No. 30 overall (from OKC via WSH and PHI)<\/p>\n Round 2, No. 48 overall (from PHX via WSH)<\/p>\n The first round of the draft will air Tuesday at 7:00\u00a0p.m. on ABC and ESPN platforms.<\/p>\n The second round will air Friday at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN platforms.<\/p>\n \u2014 Final NBA mock draft: Who will Mavericks select with three picks this year?<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA mock drafts: Which prospect do national outlets have Mavericks taking at No. 9?<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Schmitz was right on time landing his dream job as Mavericks’ GM<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The next Brad Stevens? Why Dusty May is positioned for successful NBA leap with Mavericks<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 2026 NBA draft: How to watch, when the Mavericks pick and more<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Which Michigan players could be available for Mavericks in the NBA draft?<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg says it ‘would be amazing’ to stick with Dusty May in Dallas<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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