The Brooklyn Nets continue to evaluate prospects ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft, and one of the latest names to enter the conversation is Morez Johnson Jr. According to NBA insider Michael Scotto, Brooklyn brought Johnson in for a workout on June 21 as the organization weighs its options with the No. 6 overall pick.
Johnson’s pre-draft rise has been one of the more notable developments of the draft cycle. After helping Michigan win the national championship, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 40 games while earning All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors. He also shot 62.3 percent from the field and expanded his offensive profile by connecting on 34.3 percent of his three-point attempts.
Just a few weeks ago, Johnson was widely viewed as a mid-to-late first-round prospect. However, reports from the NBA Draft Combine indicated that decision-makers were impressed by his physical measurements, athleticism and shooting development. That momentum has pushed him into top-20 consideration and potentially much higher depending on how teams view his long-term upside.
For Brooklyn, the workout is particularly intriguing given the state of its roster. The Nets finished 20-62 last season, the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference, and enter the draft with the sixth overall selection as well as multiple second-round picks. The franchise is still in the early stages of a rebuild centered around young talent such as Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Ben Saraf, Noah Clowney and Danny Wolf.
The frontcourt remains one of the roster’s most interesting areas. Nic Claxton averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while starting 68 games, while Clowney posted 12.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in his age-21 season. Wolf added 8.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists as a rookie. Johnson would give Brooklyn another athletic, versatile frontcourt player capable of contributing as a rebounder, finisher and defender.
What separates Johnson from some of the traditional big men in this class is his combination of efficiency and developmental upside. Across two collegiate seasons at Illinois and Michigan, he averaged 10.5 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 62.8 percent from the field. His improved perimeter shooting this past season could allow him to fit alongside another center, giving teams greater lineup flexibility.
Whether Johnson is a realistic candidate at No. 6 remains one of the biggest questions. The draft’s projected top tier includes prospects such as AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, Caleb Wilson and Nate Ament, and several guards are expected to hear their names called early. However, strong pre-draft workouts can significantly alter draft boards, particularly for prospects whose physical tools translate cleanly to the NBA game.
With the draft set for June 23-24 at Barclays Center, the Nets appear to be conducting a wide-ranging evaluation process. Johnson’s workout suggests Brooklyn is seriously considering frontcourt options as it searches for foundational pieces capable of accelerating its rebuild.
