A report that Dwight Powell would opt out of a $10,259,375 salary immediately sparked speculation about a handshake deal to re-sign with the Mavericks. Dallas could guarantee Powell more total compensation on a new contract. In exchange, he’d take a lower salary for next season, when the Mavericks are tying to maximize cap space to build around Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Otherwise, why would Powell leave so much money on the table?
Apparently, he won’t.
Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News:
Told by reliable source that, contrary to Yahoo report last month, Dwight Powell plans to opt in and play for the Mavs at $10.2M next season and sign sign an extension after July 5. No wonder Powell spoke so certainly of remaining a Mav. Has until June 29 to make it official.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) June 6, 2019
Powell could mesh well with Porzingis as Dallas’ bigs. Powell is more of a rim runner while Porzingis shoots more from the perimeter. Porzingis would cover for Powell’s lackluster rim protection.
But Powell will also turn 28 this summer, and the NBA is overflowing with solid centers. I’d be wary of paying him too much for too long on an extension.
The Mavericks project to have about $29 million in cap space this summer. They would have been better off if Powell opted out and freed another $9 million of room. But there’s also value in having Powell remain on the roster.