Mavs 'Fully Intend' to Re-Sign Dwight Powell in Free Agency
NBA free agency kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m. ET, and the Dallas Mavericks are primed to be one of the busier teams throughout the league, whether that's attempting to re-sign their own players or targeting other free agents.
Reported by NBA insider Marc Stein on Friday, the Mavericks 'fully intend to re-sign' free agent center Dwight Powell.
Powell, who is the longest tenured Maverick since 2014-15, has been a staple within the organization over the last nine seasons through the end of Dirk Nowitzki's career and the start to Luka Doncic's takeover.
Stein added that though Powell is 'expected to draw interest' from the Cavaliers and the Rockets, Dallas values what Powell brings to the organization within the locker room and in the community, outside of just what he brings to the team on the court.
"Sources say Powell is expected to draw interest from both Cleveland and Houston in free agency, but the Mavericks consider him a key figure in the organization beyond on-court production and are confident that Powell, who after almost nine seasons is by far the longest-tenured Maverick, will re-sign,” Stein wrote.
In 76 games in the 2022-23 season, 64 in which he started, Powell averaged 6.7 points and 4.1 rebounds on 73.2 percent shooting from the floor in 19 minutes per game.
If Powell does indeed re-sign with the Mavs, his role should expected to be reduced as the Mavericks have made it evident of their plans to 'remake their center rotation' this offseason.
Dallas' plans to overhaul their big man rotation started with reports of the Mavericks letting Christian Wood walk in free agency along with selecting Duke center Dereck Lively II with the No. 12 pick and trading for veteran center Richaun Holmes on draft night -- though Holmes' acquisition has yet to be announced by the team as they're attempting to move him in a bigger package deal for a quality starting center.
At the end of the day, bringing back Powell on a likely minimum deal is good for the Mavericks as an organization, as he provides leadership and comradery to the locker room and is a n absolute savant in the community.
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