The Mavericks had two first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, but only one of them has been a full participant in practice.
Mavericks forward Naji Marshall said Morez Johnson Jr. hasn’t played much in the team’s scrimmages during his media availability Sunday.
After that statement was made, a media member followed up the following day by asking Mavericks coach Dusty May to provide an update on Johnson’s status.
May declined to delve into what specifically has been bothering Johnson, but he did provide an update. The No. 9 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft missed the team’s final three Las Vegas Summer League games with left calf soreness.
“He’s working his way back. He’s close,” he said to start Monday’s media availability.
Johnson was working on his hook shot and jump shot with multiple Mavericks player development and assistant coaches at practice Monday. He was wearing a gray jersey, which was also worn by Tobi Lawal and Dwight Powell.
While Johnson is nearing a return to being a full participant at practice, Mavericks rookie guard Sergio De Larrea, the No. 25 pick, has been leaning on Santi Aldama to get acclimated to the NBA.
“We are friends. We play together, national team, we know each other and I think we also have a good chemistry,” De Larrea said. “So it’s perfect for me to have him here to learn and to share some experience with him.”
Aldama is entering his sixth season and has competed on playoff teams. He’s also been limited in practice because of a knee injection he received at the end of the Memphis Grizzlies’ season, but he’s been a valuable resource for the Mavericks’ rookie guard.
During the Mavericks’ stint in the Las Vegas Summer League, De Larrea showed flashes as a playmaker and 3-point shooter. But defenses threw smaller guards at the 6-foot-6 point guard, which caused him to turn the ball over.
De Larrea talked about adjusting to being guarded by smaller players who have a strong base.
“We are working on playing against small guards, big guards, big centers, small centers, everything to try to find my game against these kind of players,” he said. “And try to also add more skills to my package.”
The rookie guard has also been working with new Mavericks assistant coach Willie Green after team scrimmages on getting to certain spots on the floor and tightening up his shooting form. There were multiple times when Green walked over to De Larrea after a missed jumper and gently turned his hips toward the basket.
De Larrea has also worked on running pick-and-rolls, pulling up against centers and shooting off screens.
May said the team is looking to play at a fast pace this season, which has helped De Larrea get acclimated. De Larrea played for Valencia last season, which was also one of the fastest-paced teams in the EuroLeague.
“The pace is a little bit higher for sure, but it’s been more or less easy to adapt to the game,” De Larrea said. “And to try to play as fast as possible and get the fastest shots possible and the best shots possible.”
The Mavericks will be off Tuesday but plan to return to the court Wednesday.
