Mavericks risk losing beloved unsung hero as pivotal offseason decision approaches

There is no doubt that Dwight Powell has quietly become one of the Dallas Mavericks' most important players since his 2014 arrival during the Rajon Rondo trade from the Boston Celtics. While Powell's career hasn't been filled with highlight dunks or even a Hall of Fame-like stat line, his locker room presence has, without a doubt, kept him on Dallas' roster through multiple different eras; however, that will be in jeopardy this summer.

Powell is set to become a free agent this offseason, and while the Mavericks have gone through plenty of changes since Powell's arrival over a decade ago, the veteran may finally find himself on the other side of a rebuild. With Cooper Flagg at the forefront of the front office's mind this offseason, Powell's once sacred roster spot may be up for grabs as the Mavs look for answers and, more importantly, wins in a season where losses will be penalized without the return of a draft pick.

The end of Dwight Powell's Mavericks tenure feels close

It almost feels like the writing has been on the wall before for Powell in years past, but after so many pay cuts, it may finally be time for the former Stanford grad to find a new home. Powell is still considered a true locker room glue guy to many fans and media members, which would be one of the only reasons Dallas brings him back on a short-term deal, but even this feels like a bit of a stretch.

From an on-court perspective, Powell has had one of the least efficient seasons of his career when he is on the floor. At just 13 minutes per outing on an injury-riddled roster that could have used a more athletic and young rim-running big, Powell's play on the floor isn't keeping him in a Dallas uniform.

Entering an era where youth, athleticism, and upside have never been more important in Dallas' roster-building searches, the now 34-year-old Powell is entering the waning years of his career. The Mavericks will likely always have a spot for Powell in some way, shape, or form, even if it's his jersey hanging in the rafters, but it may finally be time to let the beloved veteran walk in free agency.

Powell is taking a valuable roster spot entering a must-win era

With Flagg on the mind of every Mavericks fan, the team needs to build a strong roster around the 19-year-old this offseason and at the draft. Next season will be the first season where the team doesn't possess its own pick in the Flagg era, which is why there will be no incentive to lose.

The Mavericks may already have a few roster spots covered for veterans like Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton, and Kyrie Irving, which is yet another reason the team needs to strive to get younger and take chances on younger players. It's hard to predict what the Mavs will do this offseason, but with losing not being an option, the front office must prepare to make the playoffs in a competitive Western Conference.

Unfortunately, this could come at the cost of Dwight Powell.