The Dallas Mavericks are set to showcase their newest draft picks and promising prospects at the upcoming Las Vegas Summer League, beginning their schedule with a game against the Golden State Warriors at 7 p.m. Central Time. This event marks Morez Johnson Jr.’s unofficial NBA debut, providing a platform for the ninth overall pick in last month’s draft to display his skills on a professional stage.
Johnson, standing 6-foot-9 and playing forward/center, is expected to demonstrate his defensive versatility as he matches up against several members of his draft class, including former teammates from Michigan. The Mavericks will face the Warriors on Thursday, where Johnson is anticipated to contend with rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg. Later in the tournament, Dallas is slated to play the Oklahoma City Thunder, opening the possibility for Johnson to compete against Aday Mara. However, both players could be limited in availability since first-round selections are often rested by the tournament’s later rounds.
Other prospects on the Mavericks’ summer roster include Cooper Flagg and Ryan Nembhard, who have previous experience in the Las Vegas Summer League. Flagg appeared in two games last summer before a sidelining injury, while Nembhard participated in three games. This year’s event will provide Johnson and his teammates an opportunity to showcase their defensive capabilities as well as their offensive potential without heavy ball handling responsibilities.
The Mavericks’ contingent also highlights an international presence, featuring players with global backgrounds. Among them is Spanish point guard Sergio De Larrea, a pick by the Mavericks under Mike Curtis’s direction. The diverse roster underscores Dallas’s commitment to developing talent from a range of origins as they prepare for the upcoming NBA season.
The team will also compete against the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and a fifth opponent yet to be determined based on the summer league standings. The tournament offers the Mavericks a chance to evaluate their young players in competitive settings and assess depth ahead of the regular season.