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Mavericks launch new era, selecting Morez Johnson Jr. of Michigan with No. 9 pick in 2026 NBA Draft
By Doug Myers at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
The Dallas Mavericks opened a new era on a pivotal draft night Tuesday, selecting Morez Johnson Jr. of Michigan with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft – the first major move under new head coach Dusty May and a restructured front office.Johnson started all 40 games for Michigan last seas...
Key takeaway 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft – the first major move under new head coach Dusty May and a restructured front office.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The selection of Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft marks a significant milestone for the Dallas Mavericks, and by extension, the North Texas sports community. As the team embarks on a new era under head coach Dusty May and a restructured front office, the choice of Johnson signals a commitment to player development and long-term roster construction. With the Mavericks holding additional picks later in the draft, the franchise has a critical opportunity to surround rising superstar Cooper Flagg with young talent. Given that the team is not expected to control its own first-round pick again until 2031, the stakes are high for the new regime to make the most of this year's draft. As the Mavericks look to return to championship contention, the success of Johnson and any subsequent draft picks will be closely watched by fans in Southlake and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Dallas Mavericks opened a new era on a pivotal draft night Tuesday, selecting Morez Johnson Jr. of Michigan with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft – the first major move under new head coach Dusty May and a restructured front office.Johnson started all 40 games for Michigan last seas...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Doug Myers at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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