The Mavericks cut their roster to 15 by releasing veteran center Dwight Powell, the club announced on Twitter. Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news first. Will this open a spot for a fresh face?
Powell was the longest‑tenured Maverick, logging twelve seasons after a 2014 trade. He re‑signed just before camp on a minimum deal with a $1 MM guarantee, which would have risen to $1.5 MM had he made the opening night roster.
“Dwight epitomized professionalism throughout his twelve years in Dallas and embodies everything we value in a representative,” team president Masai Ujiri said in the full release. “He’s a relentless worker, a stellar teammate and his influence reaches far beyond the court into the community. We appreciate all he’s given the franchise. He’ll always belong to the Mavericks family, and Dallas will remain his home. We wish him the best in his next chapter.”
After releasing guards Seth Lundy and John Poulakidas, Dallas needed one more name to hit the 15‑player limit. Our earlier rundown noted that Moussa Cisse, Caleb Martin and Marcus Sasser were also in the mix, yet each carries a larger guaranteed salary. In my view, cutting Powell was the smartest salary move.
Cisse would have been the cheapest, with a $2.2 MM salary this season, but Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported Sunday night that several clubs eyed the 24‑year‑old if he cleared waivers. Dallas matched the offer sheet Cisse signed with New York earlier in the offseason and kept him through guarantee dates in September and October.
Last year Powell saw limited minutes, appearing in 63 games with 12 starts and posting 3.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 14.3 minutes per outing.
He hoped to add another NBA year and logged minutes in three of the four preseason contests this month. Coach Dusty May praised him as a veteran who does the little things that lift teammates, according to Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal.
“Dwight has been incredibly valuable to us,” May added. “When he’s on the floor the team clicks. It’s been a joy to work with him. I stay out of roster decisions, but Dwight has been very, very good for us.”
Powell will become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday if he clears waivers. Dallas now sits at 15 standard contracts plus two two‑way deals. Could he land elsewhere and make an impact next season?