Mavericks’ Roster Crunch Leaves Little Room for Powell or Williams
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A packed Dallas Mavericks roster is expected to prevent the return of veteran center Dwight Powell and guard Brandon Williams, according to the Dallas Morning News. President of basketball operations Masai Ujiri has overhauled the team since taking charge, bringing in nine new players via the draft, trades and free agency. Dallas currently lists 16 players on standard contracts—one above the regular-season limit.
Powell, 35, is the club’s longest-tenured player, having spent 12 seasons in Dallas after arriving from Boston during his rookie campaign. He opted into the final year of his deal last summer but played a limited role, averaging 3.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 14.3 minutes across 63 games. Ujiri has already added Santi Aldama as a potential stretch five and re-signed Moussa Cisse to back up Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, moves that further shrink Powell’s path to a new contract.
Williams posted career highs in 2025-26 with 13.0 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists over 66 appearances. His minutes, however, are expected to shift to first-round pick Sergio de Larrea—who impressed at Las Vegas Summer League—and newly acquired guard Marcus Sasser.
Additional Mavericks Notes
• Despite offseason trade chatter, the Mavericks have “no plans” to shop 34-year-old guard Kyrie Irving, reports The Stein Line. The organization wants to see how Irving fits alongside Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg and the revamped roster once he returns from knee surgery that has sidelined him since March 2025.
• Patrick Engelbrecht, formerly the Raptors’ director of global scouting and international affairs, has joined Dallas’ front office, reuniting with Ujiri.
• Longtime NBA assistant Nate Mitchell is viewed as a leading candidate to become head coach of the Mavericks’ G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.
• Forward Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, will get a fresh opportunity in Dallas after being traded from Atlanta earlier this month. Analysts at The Athletic debated whether the change of scenery can spark his development and if it is premature to label him a bust.
Source: Hoops Rumors
