Dusty May says Michigan is waiting on Morez Johnson, but is ready to 'pivot'

Michigan basketball is back to the wait-and-see game when it comes to the NBA draft.

Last year, at this time, the Wolverines were waiting on word from Yaxel Lendeborg. He had entered the portal and committed to Michigan after his visit. Yet, there was no guarantee he would ever play in Ann Arbor.

Despite getting first-round projections, Lendeborg signed with Michigan and the rest is history. A big part of that history, though, was the play of Morez Johnson, another transfer portal addition last offseason, who played his way into being a first-round pick.

May spoke with Andy Katz on Tuesday and said that he anticipates Johnson will have a "very difficult decision," based on how well Morez has performed at the NBA draft combine.

The 6-foot-11 forward/center is an ideal option for NBA teams. He's a solid rim protector, he can switch onto guards, and is a beast on the offensive glass. His offensive game needs some refining, but it feels like Morez Johnson could be a lottery pick, too.

Aday Mara and Lendeborg feel like near locks to go in the NBA draft lottery. Johnson could be drafted in that range, too. If that's the case, it's hard to see a world where Johnson is back next season.

May told Katz that if Johnson stayed in the draft, the Wolverines would "pivot." But where are the Wolverines going to pivot to?

Michigan basketball's best options if Morez Johnson stays in the NBA draft

May said recently that Michigan was doing its homework on some players in the transfer portal. One of those was Hamad Mousa, a 6-foot-8 combo guard/wing from Cal Poly.

Mousa is a dynamic scorer. He averaged 20 points per game last season, but his defense needs a lot of work. The raw tools are there. He could even have a future in the NBA or the G-League, if he can get bigger, stronger, and better on both ends of the floor.

Mousa would certainly add to the Michigan roster, although he'd probably come off the bench. Santa Clara transfer Allen Graves is another name to know.

The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 11.8 points per game, mostly coming off the bench last season, while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range. He also averaged 1.9 steals, 1.8 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game.

Graves has declared for the draft. He's been impressive, too. He might even be in first-round pick territory himself. So he will have a decision to make. If he withdraws from the NBA draft, but Johnson stays in, it feels like a natural target for May.

If not, there will be other players who withdraw from the NBA draft. There could be a fit, or the Wolverines could make Mousa a priority and try to add him to the rotation, albeit with a much lower ceiling than if Michigan brought back Johnson or signed Graves.

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