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Morez Johnson Jr. Swats Four Shots in Loss to Lakers
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Morez Johnson Jr. recorded 10 points, five rebounds, four blocks, and two steals over 28 minutes in Saturday's 91-70 Summer League loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The ninth overall pick shot 4-for-8 from the field, including 0-for-1 from three-point range, and went 1-for-2 at the free-throw line. Although his offensive output was modest, he anchored the defense with a game-high four rejections following a 27-point scoring outburst in Thursday's opener. Johnson will look to carve out a rotational role during his rookie campaign, but he faces stiff competition for frontcourt minutes from Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Morez Johnson Jr. Leads Mavericks With 27 Points
Dallas Mavericks forward/center Morez Johnson Jr. recorded 27 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks across 26 minutes in Thursday's 101-90 Summer League loss to the Golden State Warriors. The ninth pick went 12-for-17 from the field, providing excellent multi-category production in his Las Vegas debut. Johnson averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals at Michigan last season, demonstrating that his defensive instincts translate cleanly to the professional level. Although his outside jumper still needs development, his high motor gives him a useful lane to category value. With that in mind, he faces a crowded veteran depth chart featuring P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. Fantasy managers should treat him as a watch-list option until consistent rotation minutes emerge under new head coach Dusty May.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Marvin Bagley III Agrees to One-Year Deal With Nuggets
Free-agent center Marvin Bagley III agreed to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal with the Denver Nuggets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 27-year-old gives Denver another frontcourt option after averaging 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 61.8 percent from the field in 20.0 minutes across 60 games between Washington and Dallas last season. Bagley is an efficient rim finisher who can help cover regular-season minutes behind Nikola Jokic, but his fantasy ceiling is capped unless Jonas Valanciunas is moved or Denver opens a clearer backup-center lane. For now, he profiles as injury insurance rather than a bankable nightly role.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Santi Aldama Moves to Dallas
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Memphis Grizzlies traded forward/center Santi Aldama (knee) to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for AJ Johnson, a protected 2030 Warriors first-round pick, and two second-round picks. Aldama's 2025-26 campaign ended abruptly due to a right knee injury, and he underwent an arthroscopic procedure in mid-March. Before suffering the season-ending knee injury, Aldama averaged a career-high 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 combined steals and blocks in 27.9 minutes per game across 43 regular-season contests (11 starts). Despite the setback, Aldama is expected to be fully recovered by training camp and should compete for a role in Dallas' frontcourt rotation.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Dereck Lively II Progressing Slowly as Mavs Camp Looms
Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (foot) is still working back from December foot surgery and hasn't resumed running, The Athletic's Christian Clark reports. Speaking after a Mavericks youth camp, Lively said he is walking and lifting but in no rush. "I'm taking even more time than I need," he told Clark. Lively has shed the walking boot but isn't cleared to run or jump, with training camp roughly three months away. He is Dallas' projected starting center and a foundational piece of the rebuild alongside cornerstone Cooper Flagg, so his Week 1 availability is the question that matters. When healthy, he has averaged 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks as a lob threat and rim protector. The No. 9 pick, Morez Johnson Jr., offers frontcourt insurance if his ramp-up runs long.
Source: Christian Clark
Source: Christian Clark
Morez Johnson Jr. Reunites With Dusty May in Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks are selecting Michigan forward/center Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 20-year-old gives Dallas an efficient frontcourt piece after averaging 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.7 steals in 25.1 minutes across 40 appearances for Michigan. Johnson shot 62.3 percent from the field, giving him a fantasy-friendly base if his rebounding and defensive activity translate quickly. Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford are already on the Mavericks roster, so Johnson may need to earn minutes gradually, but the Dusty May connection makes his early role worth watching.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
Jason Kidd Fired as Mavericks Head Coach
Jason Kidd won't continue as the Dallas Mavericks' head coach, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Two weeks ago, the Mavericks hired Masai Ujiri as the new team president, and they will now be looking for a new head coach. Kidd took over the Mavericks in 2021 after two years as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers. Under his guidance, the team achieved instant success, reaching the 2022 Conference Finals. Two years later, Kidd led Dallas to the NBA Finals, where the team lost to Boston in five games. However, the Mavericks didn't make the playoffs in the other three seasons under Kidd, and he posted a losing regular-season record of 388-395. Kidd, who has also served as a head coach for the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, had four years and more than $40 million remaining on his Mavericks contract.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
