Morez Johnson Jr.'s defensive versatility and inside scoring have been on full display in Michigan. How would he look if he were selected by the 76ers?
Fansided's latest mock draft has the 76ers selecting Morez Johnson Jr. with the 21st pick via the Houston Rockets. This pick was acquired via the trade that sent Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The 6'9, 250-pound sophomore is in the midst of a breakout year at Michigan, showcasing a rare blend of strength, mobility, and defensive versatility.
Morez's interior defense stands out as soon as you watch him. He makes up for his smaller 6'9" frame by being physically strong, vertically impressive, and having great defensive fundamentals. On top of that, he is great on the perimeter, as he has no issues moving his feet and staying with guards. In an NBA that is becoming more and more switch-heavy every year, this skill is invaluable.
Offensively, Morez has some areas to improve.
He is fantastic at the rim, as he boasts a 72% shooting percentage at the rim and a 68% true shooting percentage, both of which are some of the highest marks in all of college basketball. However, his perimeter shooting leaves a lot to be desired. Johnson barely shoots a shot outside of 12 feet. This is fine in college and in Michigan, which has the talent to cover for him on offense, but in the NBA, this will get exposed very quickly, as teams will dare him to shoot and put their less mobile defenders against him so they can sit in the paint.
However, in Philadelphia, this problem could be mitigated.
With established offensive creators such as V.J. Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid, the Sixers wouldn't need Johnson to carry a scoring load. Instead, he could focus on what he does best: defending, rebounding, and bringing energy.
In that role, Johnson has the potential to contribute right away. His ability to do the dirty work would fit seamlessly alongside Philadelphia's core.
If he's available at No. 21, Johnson could provide immediate value as a high-energy defense-first big with room to grow his perimeter game over the coming years.
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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at dixonwesley286@gmail.com.