DALLAS, Texas — The Dallas Mavericks have waived veteran center Dwight Powell, bringing his 12-season run with the franchise to an end as the team finalizes its roster ahead of the 2026-27 NBA regular season.
The Mavericks announced the decision on Monday, October 19, just two days before their season opener against the Houston Rockets. The move ends Powell’s tenure as Dallas’ longest-serving player and marks another significant change for a franchise preparing for a new campaign.
According to the team’s official announcement and reports from Reuters and The Associated Press, the decision was tied to Dallas’ roster requirements and the competition for available spots ahead of the NBA deadline.
A veteran who became part of Mavericks history
Powell, 35, joined Dallas in December 2014 after being acquired from the Boston Celtics in a trade that also brought point guard Rajon Rondo to the Mavericks.
Although Powell initially received less attention than Rondo, he gradually established himself as a dependable frontcourt contributor and a respected veteran in the organization.
Across 12 seasons with Dallas, Powell appeared in 763 regular-season games, ranking fifth in franchise history. He also ranks fourth in career field-goal percentage at 60.6%, sixth in total rebounds with 3,251, sixth in offensive rebounds with 1,187, and 10th in blocked shots with 330, according to the Mavericks.
His career averages with Dallas were approximately 6.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.
Powell recorded his best scoring season in 2018-19, averaging 10.6 points per game. In 2019-20, he averaged a career-high 5.7 rebounds per game.
His contributions extended beyond statistics. Powell became known for his professionalism, willingness to accept different roles and involvement in the Dallas community.
Why did Dallas decide to move on?
Powell had returned to the Mavericks on September 25, 2026, signing a non-guaranteed contract ahead of training camp in an attempt to secure another season with the team.
However, Dallas faced a crowded frontcourt and needed to comply with the league’s limit of 15 standard roster contracts. Keeping Powell would have required another roster adjustment.
The Mavericks ultimately chose to waive him as the deadline approached, leaving the team with 15 standard contracts and two additional players on two-way deals.
The decision highlights the difficult choices teams face when balancing veteran experience, available roster spots and the development of younger players.
For Powell, returning to training camp offered a chance to continue his long-standing relationship with the franchise. Instead, the final roster decision closed that chapter, at least for now.
Mavericks pay tribute to Powell’s contributions
Dallas president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri praised Powell’s work ethic, leadership and community involvement in the team’s announcement.
Ujiri described Powell as a tireless worker and an outstanding teammate whose influence reached beyond the basketball court. He also emphasized that Powell would remain part of the Mavericks family.
The tribute reflected the veteran center’s lasting connection to the organization after more than a decade in Dallas.
Powell was part of several different eras of Mavericks basketball, from the final season of Dirk Nowitzki’s career to the Luka Doncic years and the team’s 2024 NBA Finals appearance.
His departure is therefore more than a routine roster transaction for longtime Dallas supporters. It marks the loss of a familiar presence who remained with the franchise through significant changes in personnel, coaching and team direction.
What happens next for Dwight Powell?
Powell’s immediate future in the NBA remains uncertain following his release.
Veteran centers who provide experience, screening, rebounding and locker-room leadership can still draw interest from teams seeking frontcourt depth. However, there has been no confirmed announcement of a new team for Powell in the reports cited here.
Dallas, meanwhile, will turn its attention to the upcoming season, beginning with its October 21 matchup against Houston.
Whether Powell secures another NBA opportunity or eventually moves toward a different chapter in basketball, his 12-season run in Dallas leaves him among the franchise’s most recognizable long-serving players.
For Mavericks fans, the question now is whether this marks the end of Powell’s NBA career or simply the beginning of a new opportunity elsewhere.
