The Mavericks' Big Move
The Dallas Mavericks have made a significant move by hiring Masai Ujiri as president and alternate governor in early May. Since then, Ujiri has wasted little time giving the organization a makeover. In his first major move, Ujiri fired coach Jason Kidd and hired Dusty May away from the college ranks as Kidd's replacement. On the same day the Mavericks made May's hiring official, they used the No. 9 pick in the NBA Draft to take Morez Johnson Jr., who starred on May's title team at Michigan. Later in the first round, the Mavericks did some maneuvering to acquire Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea.
Why it Matters for Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks' decision to draft Johnson with a top-10 pick in June said a lot about what this front office values. Even though the Mavericks already had a glut of frontcourt options on their roster, they chose the 6-foot-9 Johnson ahead of perimeter players like Brayden Burries, the combo guard who had an excellent freshman season at Arizona. At Michigan, Johnson was an excellent rebounder and an interior deterrent who had no problem defending north of the 3-point line. The Mavericks felt that his size, his defensive aptitude, and - perhaps, most importantly - his competitiveness were worth betting on.
What Comes Next?
Ujiri has a long track record of betting on players with size, and the beginning of his tenure in Dallas suggests his time with the Mavericks will be no different. Of the 16 players the Mavericks have on standard contracts, only two are shorter than 6-foot-5: Kyrie Irving (6-2) and Marcus Sasser (6-1). The Mavericks will need to reduce their roster to 15 players before the regular season, which starts in October. They can do this through a trade, a buyout, or waiving a player. Recent form (last 5): 2W-0D-3L (WWLLL, most recent first); on a 2-game winning run. Last result: Dallas Mavericks 149-128 Chicago Bulls (2026-04-13). The Mavericks' front office is expected to make more moves to shape their roster for the upcoming season.
Massive Lineups Ahead
Ujiri has been extremely active in three months on the job - and he isn't done making moves. The Mavericks' decision to draft Johnson said a lot about what this front office values. Even though the Mavericks already had a glut of frontcourt options on their roster, they chose the 6-foot-9 Johnson ahead of perimeter players like Brayden Burries, the combo guard who had an excellent freshman season at Arizona. At Michigan, Johnson was an excellent rebounder and an interior deterrent who had no problem defending north of the 3-point line. The Mavericks felt that his size, his defensive aptitude, and - perhaps, most importantly - his competitiveness were worth betting on.
A Front Office with a Track Record
Ujiri has a long track record of betting on players with size, and the beginning of his tenure in Dallas suggests his time with the Mavericks will be no different. In 2019, Ujiri helped steer the Toronto Raptors to their first and only championship in franchise history. The Raptors' most-used lineup during their championship run featured players like Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam, both of whom were 6-foot-7 or taller. The Mavericks' front office is expected to build a similar lineup with players like Johnson, Cooper Flagg, and Dereck Lively II. With 16 standard contracts, the team must reduce the number to 15 before the regular season, which starts in October. They can do this through a trade, a buyout, or waiving a player. Recent form (last 5): 2W-0D-3L (WWLLL, most recent first); on a 2-game winning run. Last result: Dallas Mavericks 149-128 Chicago Bulls (2026-04-13).
