Mavs Powell Re-Signs; Dereck Lively II Role Model?

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks finished with a 38-44 record during their 2022-23 campaign. After finishing 25th in defensive rating and 30th in total rebounding percentage, the team vocalized its priorities to improve in both of those areas, as well as re-signing Kyrie Irving being the top focus. 

One would’ve assumed that the biggest potential roster change for the Mavs would’ve come at the starting center position. However, they are set to bring back Dwight Powell — the team's most frequent starter at the five spot throughout last season.

On Sunday, the Mavs announced that they have officially re-signed Powell. It has been reported that the deal is a three-year, $12 million contract. He had just completed the final season of a three-year, $33.2 million contract that began in 2020-21. 

Powell averaged 6.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 76 games last season. He had drawn interest from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets in free agency, but ultimately decided to return. It was reported that Powell turned down an offer from Houston that was more than double annually from what he settled on in Dallas.

The Mavs had previously been linked as having trade interest in Deandre Ayton, but no agreement on a deal was reached with the Phoenix Suns. Dallas had also discussed possibly trading down from the 10th pick in the NBA Draft with the Atlanta Hawks in order to acquire Clint Capela in the process. Nothing came to fruition on that front. 

With the Mavs trading down to the 12th pick in a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder, they used the updated draft positioning to select Dereck Lively II. The 19-year-old center will take time to develop, but ultimately, the current configuration of the roster calls for a stopgap option in the starting lineup as Lively develops. Additionally, the way Powell goes about his business figures to allow him to serve as a Lively role model.

After bringing back Powell, the Mavs add him to a congested center group that currently includes Richaun Holmes, JaVale McGee, and Lively. It remains to be seen if there will be further changes that occur at this position, but it is expected that at least McGee will be gone.

The Mavs' other free agency moves involved re-signing Irving on a three-year, $126 million contract, then later using the bi-annual exception to sign Seth Curry. Dallas' messaging has been that achieving improvement in both defense and rebounding are priorities.

Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).