AJ Johnson

Johnson took the NBL route to the NBA rather than college — part of a growing trend of elite American prospects choosing Australia as an alternative development pathway.

At 6-foot-5 and just 160 pounds, Johnson has one of the most projectable frames on the Mavericks roster — scouts expect his body to fill out significantly over the next two seasons.

He arrived in Dallas alongside Khris Middleton and Marvin Bagley III in the same trade that sent Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards in February 2026.

Johnson is 21 years old playing alongside 19-year-old Cooper Flagg — the Mavericks have one of the youngest and most exciting young cores in the NBA.