Mavericks' roster crunch is about to cost a fan-favorite no one is ready to lose

From ranking fifth in franchise history in games played to inspiring an entire X account dedicated to him getting hit in the face, Dwight Powell has become one of the Dallas Mavericks’ most beloved figures. But after 12 seasons, his time in Dallas may finally be coming to an end amid what’s shaping up to be a tumultuous offseason.

Powell, who has appeared in 763 games for Dallas, is set to hit free agency as the three-year, $12 million extension he signed in 2023 expires this offseason. He joins Marvin Bagley III, Khris Middleton, and Brandon Williams amongst the Mavericks’ pending free agents.

A crowded offseason looms for the Dallas Mavericks

While the Mavericks don’t have an overwhelming number of pending free agents, they’re expected to retain most of their roster and hold three picks, including two first-rounders, in June’s draft. All told, Dallas' roster could run 13-deep following the draft.

Consequently, despite Powell’s affable nature, locker room presence, and always-ready mentality, there may not be a clear path to bringing the 34-year-old center back.

First and foremost, Powell will be 35 at the start of next season. And as Dallas looks to get younger, keeping an aging role player becomes harder to justify. Veterans like Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson are still in place (for now), but the roster as a whole is clearly in transition.

Roster crunch leaves little room for a Dwight Powell return

Of course, there’s value in keeping a veteran presence, a la Udonis Haslem or Taj Gibson, but Dallas may not have the flexibility to do so. The Mavericks are likely to use their non-taxpayer mid-level exception to add a quality contributor, which would bring the roster to 14 players and leave just one spot available for Powell and the three aforementioned free agents.

Moreover, with Daniel Gafford already in the fold, Dereck Lively II set to return from season-ending foot surgery, and Moussa Cisse impressing on a two-way deal, Dallas is already three-deep at center. There’s even a chance Cisse earns a standard contract, and that’s without factoring in the possibility of using a draft pick on another big man.

There’s too much of a frontcourt logjam to realistically expect a Powell return. It would be a great story for him to stick around as the Cooper Flagg era begins, but the roster math just doesn’t support it.

Powell has shared the floor with countless Mavericks standouts and even started all 18 games during the team’s run to the Western Conference Finals. Still, Dallas may have already seen the last of him in a Mavericks uniform.

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