This whole saga feels like biting on a Dwight Powell pump fake—only this time, it’s the entire Mavericks fanbase getting sent in the wrong direction. In the chaos following Nico Harrison’s firing, everyone outside the organization seemed convinced Anthony Davis was already halfway out the door. Then, almost overnight, the narrative flipped: whispers of an extension, talk of Dallas clearing room for a potential $275 million max deal, and a wave of speculation that had Mavs fans imagining blockbuster possibilities.

Enter the rumor that poured jet fuel on the fire: a claim circulating across social media that veteran big man Dwight Powell—one of Dallas’ most reliable defensive anchors—planned to retire at season’s end. If true, it would open a lane for major roster maneuvering or even help grease the wheels for an AD payday.

But that’s the thing: if it was true.

And Mark Cuban made sure to crush that fantasy in record time. Responding directly to a post announcing Powell’s “likely” retirement, he hit back with a crisp, unmistakable two-word reality check:

“Not true.”

Thank goodness he clarified that. The news hardly made sense. Dwight Powell is only 34, has only ten seasons in, is relatively healthy, and is one of their best backups. There was no indication he’s on his way out in the slightest.

All reports indicate he will activate his $4 million player option for the 2025-26 season, the final year of his contract. Obviously, he’s not retiring before he does that.

Why this rumor would come up is anyone’s guess. It might look believable because Dallas is in a roster flux. Since firing Nico Harrison, they’re on the drawing board trying to make his decisions work as soon as possible.

The most idealistic solution would be to fix his Anthony Davis decision, either by making it work in Dallas or elsewhere.

Can Mark Cuban be believed on Dwight Powell and Anthony Davis news?

After Nico Harrison reportedly exiled minority stakeholder Mark Cuban from the Mavs basketball operations, the former owner is back. He’s on a mission to ensure fans are no longer in the dark, following the February 2, 2025, decision that blindsided him and everyone.

His first order of business was to dispel any assumption that AD would be traded.

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Simultaneously, the Mavs were taking calls from front offices for AD while keeping a close eye on his health. Davis bounced back from a calf injury and a month-long hiatus by finally playing his first game against the Lakers in a Mavs jersey.

Dwight Powell was on the floor for a blink. The Mavs lost to Luka Doncic & Co., but the defensive improvement was unmistakable.

The team and fans are noticing there’s some benefit to keeping Davis on the team. Analysts also predict he’d be a great help to Cooper Flagg’s development.

While NBA insiders feel he should stay in Dallas, Shams Charania reported the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Toronto Raptors are interested in him. 

Shams even confirmed that the Mavs are considering giving AD an extension. He can be a free agent in 2027 if he declines his $62.8 million player option, and it’s likely he’d want a max deal. The question is if the Mavs can afford it.

The answer to that is not Dwight Powell’s false retirement news but another report from the ESPN veteran. Charania also reported that the Mavericks are considering possible trades for Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and D’Angelo Russell. So this team’s keeping its defenders while considering other options.

Earlier, it may have seemed Mark Cuban was not aligned with the front office’s stance on AD. Now he looks vindicated. So we can believe him on the Dwight Powell news.