The Dallas Mavericks have finalized their roster for the 2026-27 NBA season by waiving veteran center Dwight Powell. The move October 19, 2026, follows the earlier release of guards Seth Lundy and John Poulakidas as the team scrambled to meet the league's regular-season deadline. These cuts bring the Mavericks into full compliance with the NBA's 15-man standard roster limit, a process that concluded just days after the team's final preseason game, a 111-135 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on October 16.
The Mavericks made three roster moves over the weekend. First, they waived guards Seth Lundy and John Poulakidas on Saturday. Lundy was on a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 contract after being drafted 46th overall in 2023. He averaged 5.5 points in 11.7 minutes per game during the preseason. Poulakidas was on a two-way deal and shot 40.3% from three-point range in 13 games last season. Despite his shooting, the team needed his two-way slot. The final and most significant cut was Dwight Powell on Monday. Powell's $1 million partial guarantee made him the logical candidate to be waived, allowing Dallas to avoid cutting a player with a fully guaranteed salary.
Dwight Powell had been with the Mavericks for over a decade, providing consistent energy off the bench. His departure is a financial and roster mechanics decision, not a basketball one. By waiving Powell, whose contract was only partially guaranteed, the Mavericks preserved their flexibility and protected players with fully guaranteed deals. It's a tough business move that shows the difficult choices teams face before the season starts. Powell's leadership and pick-and-roll chemistry with Luka Dončić will be missed, but the move was anticipated as the deadline loomed.
With these transactions, the Mavericks now have 15 players on standard NBA contracts and can fill up to three two-way slots. The roster shaping comes after a preseason where the team showed offensive firepower but defensive concerns. They scored 132 points in a win over Houston on October 11 but gave up 135 points in losses to the Rockets on October 9 and the Hawks on October 16. The finalized group will look to tighten up defensively as they turn the page to games that count.
The focus immediately shifts to the regular season opener. The Mavericks begin their 2026-27 campaign on the road against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, October 21. It's a quick rematch after the teams split their two preseason meetings. For the waived players, the future is uncertain. Lundy and Poulakidas are candidates for the G League's Texas Legends or other NBA opportunities. Dwight Powell, a respected veteran, will likely draw interest from contenders seeking frontcourt depth. For the Mavericks left behind, the mission is clear: improve on last season's finish and make a deep playoff run with their newly set rotation.
