Mavericks release Dwight Powell as Dallas finalizes standard roster

Dwight Powell's 12-year run with the Mavericks likely ended Monday when Dallas waived the veteran center. The October 19 move brought the club to 17 players, including two on two-way contracts, ahead of Wednesday's season opener at Houston.

Powell leaves with 763 Dallas appearances, fifth in franchise history. Only five of his 768 NBA games were played for another team, according to The Associated Press. He returned shortly before training camp, but the Mavericks already had 15 fully guaranteed standard contracts; retaining him would have required another player's release.

Dallas had begun its final cuts Saturday by waiving John Poulakidas and Seth Lundy. Poulakidas held a two-way spot, while Lundy had come to camp on an Exhibit 10 contract. The team's October 17 announcement covered those earlier moves:

A familiar face departs

Powell arrived in Dallas in December 2014, part of the deal that also brought Rajon Rondo from Boston. Rondo left without completing a full season with the Mavericks. Powell stayed for the following 11 full seasons and became one of the franchise's longest-serving players.

Monday's team release listed him sixth in career offensive rebounds, with 1,187, and total rebounds, with 3,251. He ranks 10th in blocks with 330. His 60.6 percent shooting places him fourth among Dallas' career leaders.

President of basketball operations Masai Ujiri praised Powell's work, professionalism and impact in the Dallas community. Powell averaged 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds over his Mavericks career. Last season he appeared in 63 games, starting 12, and averaged 3.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 14.3 minutes.

He appeared in three preseason games this fall, averaging 1.3 points, two rebounds and 3.7 assists. Monday's waiver makes Dallas' standard count 15, with the two-way players counted separately.

Flagg option accompanies weekend cuts

Poulakidas' Saturday departure followed a 16-point outing against New Orleans on Wednesday, when he made four of eight three-point attempts. He averaged seven points and shot 45.5 percent from three in three preseason appearances. Lundy averaged 5.5 points in four games, shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc.

The Mavericks also exercised Cooper Flagg's third-year rookie-scale option Saturday, securing the 2027-28 season. Last season's Rookie of the Year averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 starts and led Dallas in total points, rebounds, assists and steals.

The regular season begins October 21 in Houston at 7:30 p.m. Central.