Report: Mavs to Offer Dwight Powell 3-Year, $33M Contract Extension on Sunday
June 30, 2019
The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly prepared to offer power forward Dwight Powell a three-year, $33 million contract extension when the NBA free-agent moratorium period opens Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.
Marc Stein of the New York Times reported the update and noted the sides are "expected to swiftly agree to terms."
Dallas is also set to re-sign fellow power forward Kristaps Porzingis to a five-year, $158 million deal to ensure the superstar restricted free agent isn't the subject of an offer sheet, per Stein.
Powell has made slow, but steady, progress since the Charlotte Hornets selected him in the second round of the 2014 NBA draft. He was traded twice, first to the Cleveland Cavaliers and then the Boston Celtics, before making his first appearance as a rookie.
The 27-year-old Toronto native is coming off his best statistical season to date as he averaged 10.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 59.7 percent from the field across 77 appearances (22 starts) during his fourth full season in Dallas.
He ranked ninth among qualified power forwards in ESPN's Real Plus-Minus.
Powell, who has one year left on his current contract, confirmed in April he wanted to remain with the Mavs for the long haul.
"I definitely want to be here," he told reporters. "The opportunities that have been afforded to me between Mark [Cuban] and coach [Rick Carlisle] ... I'm always grateful for that. And I love the city of Dallas. I want to stay here."
Finalizing long-term agreements with Porzingis and Powell were the top in-house tasks on the team's offseason to-do list. Getting those deals both done at the outset of free agency will allow the front office to quickly shift focus to potential additions.
That frontcourt duo combined with reigning Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic give the Mavericks a strong foundation for success. They'll need more offensive firepower on the wing and in the backcourt to truly compete in the loaded Western Conference, though.