Dusty May already started preparing for next season even before the confetti was cleaned off the Lucas Oil Stadium floor following Michigan’s win over UConn in the National Championship last month. May hit a home run in the portal last offseason, directly leading to the Wolverines’ success this past season, and he is hoping to do the same thing this offseason in order to replace the talent departing for the NBA.
Big Ten Player of the Year and All-American Yaxel Lendeborg was the best player on this
team, and replacing him is going to be incredibly difficult, if not impossible. Replacing Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. will be hard as well, as both of them have declared for the draft as well.
Even though both Mara and Johnson kept the door open for a return, it is highly likely they will both stay in the draft. Assuming that is the case, let’s take a look at the best landing spots for all three of these Michigan stars.
Yaxel Lendeborg
Toronto Raptors
One team that might be a good fit for Lendeborg is the Toronto Raptors. Given Lendeborg’s current draft stock, he likely isn’t going to be taken early enough to end up with a true rebuilding team. The Raptors are a playoff team this year that lacks consistent scoring. Lendeborg is someone who not only score in every type of way, but he also is an outstanding defender with high-level basketball maturity (TikTok maturity is still getting there).
Indiana Pacers
This one might not work out in terms of draft position, as the Pacers are currently the second-worst team in the NBA, but if they get a bit unlucky in the lottery, they could be in a good spot to draft Lendeborg. We knew Indiana was going to have a rough season without Tyrese Haliburton, but this team should return to contending status once he is healthy. Adding a high-level rookie in the draft could take them to the next level.
Miami Heat
The team with perhaps the most buzz surrounding Lendeborg is the Heat. They had some surprise runs in the playoffs not long ago, but they have been stuck in an awkward middle-ground area lately. Lendeborg isn’t jumping off the charts as a top-five pick, but he has the potential to be a star at the next level. He could be that major win in the draft that Miami needs.
Morez Johnson Jr.
Miami Heat
Like Lendeborg, the Heat might be a good fit for Johnson as well, and Miami should end up in a good spot to land him. He has shown the ability to score in a number of ways, though getting down in the paint is certainly his strong suit. His defense will be something that stands out in the NBA, and if he can continue to improve his three-point shooting, he can have a long and successful career. His defensive prowess would fit in nicely with the Heat.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers are another team who should end up in the right area to draft Johnson. Philly has struggled the past few years, but the team is finally starting to trend in the right direction. Perhaps a player like Johnson who actually consistently plays (*cough* Joel Embiid *cough*) could help elevate this team.
Los Angeles Lakers
Personally, I think the Lakers would be the best fit for Johnson. L.A. has already expressed interest in him, and this should line up well with where it is picking in the first round. The Lakers are one of the better teams in the NBA, and with good size and scoring abilities, Johnson would be a good fit for what the Lakers have going on.
Aday Mara
Philadelphia 76ers
Mara is another Wolverine who could fit in nicely in Philly. We saw how good the duo of Johnson and Mara was; perhaps we end up seeing something with him and Embiid on the 76ers. The NBA isn’t quite as paint-focused as college basketball, but that would still be a scary duo to go up against.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls desperately need to strike gold in the draft. Mara might be a risk, as it’s hard to tell how he will fare at the next level, but this has potential to be a great bang for your buck pick.
San Antonio Spurs
How fun would it be to watch Mara and Victor Wembanyama on the court together? The Spurs’ length already overwhelms every team they go up against, and adding another giant would add to that quite a bit.
