‘Guard One Through Five’: Dusty May Plans To Use Morez Johnson Jr. At Power Forward And Center
DALLAS — Rookie Morez Johnson Jr. will play both power forward and center for the Dallas Mavericks, coach Dusty May said after practice Sunday. May expects the ninth overall pick to eventually become an interchangeable piece as his offensive game expands.
Johnson started at center against the Houston Rockets in the Oct. 9 preseason opener in Macao. Right shin splints kept him out of the Oct. 14 game against the New Orleans Pelicans, and he was back for Friday’s 135-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Dusty May On Morez Johnson Jr.’s Physicality
May coached Johnson at Michigan, where the Wolverines went 34-3 and won the 2026 national championship. Johnson played at Illinois before transferring. Dallas announced May’s hiring hours before taking Johnson in the draft, and May joked at his June 29 introductory news conference that he was “on Rez’s team now.”
Like a lot of young players, Johnson needs game reps, May said. Against Atlanta, May pointed to Dyson Daniels and a couple of other Hawks who are crafty at drawing fouls on a player as aggressive to the ball as Johnson.
“He’s physical, he’s aggressive,” May said. “He’s going to be in the mix. And because of that, he’s going to make some things happen, but also just the extra possessions that he’s going to provide for us.”
“The offensive rebounds, the loose basketballs, those are the things he could have,” May continued. “That and his defensive tenacity are the areas he can really impact this team.”
Johnson At Power Forward Or Center
Dereck Lively II has not played this preseason after right foot surgery in December 2025, his second procedure on that foot in about six months. Santi Aldama is recovering from right knee surgery. Moussa Cisse tweaked his left ankle in the Oct. 14 game.
Right now, May said, those injuries could decide where Johnson plays. Johnson is one of two first-round picks on the Dallas roster, along with Sergio de Larrea.
“We want to be able to play him at both,” May explained. “Right now, with the injuries we have at certain positions, might dictate where he plays, but he’s going to be able to play both and eventually just be an interchangeable piece as he expands his offensive game, because defensively he can guard one through five.”
Johnson’s assignment at center depends on Dallas’ ball-screen coverage, May said. Dallas allowed 135 points twice during its 1-3 preseason.
“The keys to him playing the five, depending on our ball-screen coverage,” May said, “but his job is pretty much the same no matter who we have him on, to impact the game with his energy, his physicality, and make winning plays.”
May had not yet met with the medical staff about Johnson’s workload for Wednesday when he spoke after practice. Johnson was limited by lower-leg soreness early in training camp before the shin splints kept him out of the Oct. 14 game.
“I’m not sure. I haven’t met with those guys,” May said. “I can’t imagine he’s going to be able to play a full 48, but he’s definitely moving in the right direction. He had a good practice today.”
Dallas opens the regular season Wednesday at Houston, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. CT at Toyota Center. The Mavericks’ home opener is Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs.
