Dallas Mavericks coach Dusty May praised Dwight Powell’s contributions to the team but stopped short of confirming whether the veteran center will secure a spot on the regular-season roster.
“Those questions I can’t answer,” May said when asked how close Powell is to forcing his way onto the roster, per Noah Weber. “Dwight has been very valuable so far to us. I think it’s evident, when he’s on the floor, we function well. It’s been a joy to get to know him and be around him. Dwight, he’s been very, very good for us.”
May’s comments underline Powell’s value as Dallas weighs its final roster decisions ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. The Mavericks have undergone significant changes under new president Masai Ujiri, with the organization shifting its focus toward a younger core built around Cooper Flagg and other emerging talents.
Powell, however, offers experience and familiarity with the franchise that cannot easily be replaced. The 35-year-old re-signed with Dallas on September 25 on a one-year contract worth approximately $3.88 million, but his place on the final roster has remained a talking point.
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Dallas could consider waiving center Moussa Cisse or pursuing a consolidation trade to create room for Powell. Either route presents complications, particularly given the Mavericks’ recent commitment to Cisse.
Dallas matched a restricted free-agent offer sheet from the New York Knicks to retain Cisse in July. His $2.2 million salary subsequently became fully guaranteed after the Mavericks kept him on the roster beyond October 1, making a potential release a more consequential decision.
MORE FOR YOU
Cisse averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 38 games last season, shooting 57.4% from the field in 13.9 minutes per game. His development also gives Dallas a younger option in a center rotation that includes Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II.
Powell’s case rests on his ability to contribute within the team’s system. He averaged 3.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 63 appearances during the 2025-26 campaign, shooting 64.4% from the field in 14.3 minutes per game.
