The Dallas Mavericks just did the unthinkable. They waived Dwight Powell, their longest-tenured player and a staple of the franchise for 12 years, to make room for a young center. This move shocks the fanbase because Powell was the only one left from the 2014 trade that brought him to Dallas. Yet the team made the cut to clear a spot for young center Moussa Cissé before the Monday 4 p.m. deadline.
It seems cruel to let go of a guy who played 763 games for the Mavs. Powell ranks fifth in franchise history for games played and fourth in career field goal percentage at 60.6%. He also sits sixth all-time in total rebounds with 3,251 and sixth in offensive rebounds with 1,187. These numbers prove he was a rock for the team. But the roster math forced a tough call. The Mavericks were stuck with 16 standard contracts and needed to drop one to hit the league limit of 15.
The Roster Math That Broke a Legend
The team signed Powell to a non-guaranteed deal on Sept. 25, which meant they could cut him without paying his full salary. If he had made the team, his pay would have jumped to $1.5 million. Instead, the organization kept Cissé, who plays the same position. Cissé appeared to be the vulnerable player until this week, but the front office decided his future was more valuable than Powell’s past.
Late Sunday night, Marc Stein of The Stein Line noted that multiple teams showed interest in acquiring the 24-year-old Cissé should he become available. This shows how high the stakes were for the young big man. During the offseason, Dallas retained Cissé by matching an offer sheet submitted by the New York Knicks. Now, they are doubling down on that investment. The move signals a clear shift toward youth, even if it hurts the feelings of loyal fans who watched Powell grow up in the league.
What Masai Ujiri Said About the Split
Team president Masai Ujiri did not hide the difficulty of the moment. He released a statement calling Powell “the consummate professional throughout his 12 seasons with the Mavericks and embodies everything you want in someone representing your organization.” Ujiri added that “He’s a tireless worker, an incredible teammate and someone whose impact extends well beyond the basketball court and into the Dallas community.” The words show deep respect for a man who gave his all for the city.
Ujiri went on to say, according to Yardbarker, “We are grateful for everything Dwight has contributed to this franchise.” He made sure fans knew the door was never truly closed. “He will always be part of the Mavericks family, and Dallas will always be a home for him. We wish him nothing but the best in this next chapter.” The organization is trying to soften the blow of a cold business decision. The organization recognizes that Powell contributed to their 2022 Western Conference finals run and their 2024 NBA Finals appearance.
Coach Dusty May also weighed in on the loss. Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal stated that May described him as a veteran ready to handle small tasks that improve his teammates. The coach praised Powell’s work ethic even as the team moves on. Now Kyrie Irving stands as the longest-tenured member of the Mavericks. The era of the 2014 trade is officially over. With a roster unlike anyone anticipated, the team begins the regular season on Wednesday in Houston against the Houston Rockets.