DALLAS — Mavericks rookie Morez Johnson Jr. has had limited time in practice during Dallas Mavericks training camp, Mavericks coach Dusty May said Monday.
May did not specify what has limited Johnson. He said the rookie is working his way back and is close.
Dusty May On Morez Johnson Jr.’s Status
Monday was the third day of camp. May said Johnson is getting closer to full participation.
“He’s had a little limited time in practice, but he’s working his way back,” May said. “He’s close.”
On Saturday, during the open portion of the first practice, Johnson worked on his shooting with assistant coach Rob Fodor. Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin were in the same group. May said Saturday that some players were limited in certain drills.
Johnson missed the Mavericks’ final three Summer League games in July with an illness. Before that, he had 10 points, five rebounds, four blocks, and two steals in a July loss to the Lakers.
Johnson is one of three Mavericks big men who have been limited in camp. Santi Aldama has been limited as he returns from an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in March. Dereck Lively II is recovering from December surgery on his right foot.
Dusty May’s History With Morez Johnson Jr.
Dallas took Johnson ninth overall in the 2026 draft. He had played for May on Michigan’s national championship team. Johnson averaged 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in 40 games for the Wolverines last season after transferring from Illinois.
Johnson is a player May already trusts, and May believes the group will build trust quickly because of its people.
“It’s just one guy that I already know, and I already trust him,” May said. “I think this group, because they’re such great people, it’s easy for this group to develop trust.”
On Sunday, May said Johnson has only a slight advantage from their time at Michigan. The Mavericks have changed some of the terminology.
“So there’s a couple times [in] practice when he’ll walk up and say, hey, is this term now what we call that?” May said. “So it’s a slight advantage, but not much.”
Marshall said Sunday that Johnson has not played much in camp. He called the rookie a dog who can really shoot it.
“He can really affect both ends of the floor, whether it’s defense, offense. So like I said, I’m excited to play with him too,” Marshall said. “And I love the pass, so him being a [lob] threat, something else that intrigues me, and I just can’t wait till he get out there.”
The Mavericks open the preseason against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 9 in Macao.
