Rumors: Longtime Mavericks center loses millions to stay in Dallas

After four days of free agency, the Dallas Mavericks have made four total moves

They’ve signed two players and re-signed two players, and one of those players they re-signed was 31-year-old big man Dwight Powell.

Powell has played almost his entire career in Dallas and is tied for ninth in most regular season games played in Mavericks’ history. He has become a household name in Dallas, and the Mavs signed him to a three-year, $12 million contract on Friday. But reportedly, he could have signed with the Mavericks’ rival, the Houston Rockets, for much more money.

According to Marc Stein (subscription required), “Houston’s Year 1 offer to Powell was richer than the $8 million Landale will receive in the first year of a four-year, $32 million deal.” In other words, Powell took a massive pay cut to stay with the Mavs. He would have been making close to double the money if he chose to sign with Houston.

But Powell wanted to stay in Dallas, the place he has called home for the last nine seasons. In 582 regular season games in Dallas, Powell averages 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and one assist per game. He is the longest-tenured current Maverick by a longshot, and it looks like he’ll be spending the next three years in Dallas (barring a trade).

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Dallas “expect(s) Dwight Powell to be part of their center platoon and serve as an excellent mentor for rookie lottery pick Dereck Lively II.” Although Powell may not be an outstanding player on the court, he knows how to play the right way and has been in the Mavericks’ system for nine seasons.

Powell being a mentor for Dereck Lively II is one of the best things that fans could ask for the young rookie. Powell is a great role model off the court and is a true professional. Having that type of person as a mentor for Powell will hopefully pay off as Lively II could develop into the Mavericks’ starting center of the future.

Stay tuned to see what other moves the Mavs decide to make in free agency. We’ll have you covered with all the latest surrounding the team, so stay tuned.