Return or Burn: Which free agents should the Dallas Mavericks bring back?

Should the Dallas Mavericks bring back Dwight Powell in free agency?

The Mavs tried to sign a center upgrade last summer. They brought in JaVale McGee to be their starting big man. The front office hoped he could help solve their rebounding and rim protection woes, but things have not worked out. McGee struggled to fit in and was quickly axed from the rotation.

Head coach Jason Kidd turned back to Powell as the team’s starting center, and the team’s rebounding and rim protection issues are back.

The Mavericks must find a starting center this summer that can anchor their defense. Powell is fine in a 20-minute-per-game role as an energy-providing big man off the bench. He is an outstanding roll man and an underrated perimeter defender. He could give Dallas valuable minutes off the bench behind a strong rebounder and rim protector.

Verdict: Return (if the price is right)

Powell signed a three-year $33 million extension with the Mavericks back in 2019, which is starting center money without the production. Dallas has Powell’s Bird Rights. They can sign him to another hefty contract, but Dallas should not do it. The Mavs want a tradeable contract on their books, so they need to figure out his market value.

Powell is a beloved teammate and one of the smartest players in the league. He is always giving back to the community, and the 6’10 big man provides a ton of off-the-court value to the franchise. Expect both sides to be interested in a reunion this summer, but can they agree on a contract that works?