The Dallas Mavericks reportedly have two new players to add to their busy week of offseason news, and they could add another tonight in round 2 of the NBA Draft.
First was the 9th overall selection, Morez Johnson Jr., a forward/center who won a national championship with new Mavs head coach Dusty May just a few months ago.
Johnson Jr. is 6-foot-9 and plays around the rim, with the ability to play a complementary role just with his mere presence inside. The sophomore is a versatile player with physicality and a strong frame. He averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks. He has a better than 7-3 wingspan and thrived as a cutter, in post-ups, and in finishing at the rim. He was named to the All-Big Ten Defensive Team after the season. He was also selected by the conference’s coaches to the All-Big Ten second team.
The Mavericks plan to introduce him to the city on Thursday afternoon.
Tuesday marked the fifth time in franchise history the Mavericks selected at No. 9. They used the ninth pick to draft Rolando Blackman in 1981, Dale Ellis in 1983, Samaki Walker in 1996, and Dennis Smith Jr. in 2017. Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the ninth pick in 1998 before his draft rights were traded to Dallas in exchange for the sixth pick, Robert Traylor.
NBC Sports and the Dallas Morning News report the Mavericks also traded for Spanish international Sergio De Larrea. The team cannot officially comment until the trade is approved by the league.
BADALONA, SPAIN – JUNE 14: Sergio de Larrea of Valencia Basket warms up during the Spanish League, Liga ACB Endesa, basketball Semi Final Game 3 match played between Asisa Joventut and Valencia Basket at Olimpic Arena on June 14, 2026 in Badalona, Spain. (Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images)
De Larrea, 20, spent the last four seasons in the Spanish professional basketball league – the same league Luka Doncic played in before joining the Mavericks. Dallas reportedly traded the 30th pick (Koa Peat, Arizona) and future second-round picks for De Larrea at 25 from the Lakers.
De Larrea is a 6-foot-6 guard who has represented Spain internationally at youth competitions and training with the national team.
You can read more about De Larrea from our media partners, The Dallas Morning News.
The Mavs currently hold the 48th pick tonight.