The Dallas Mavericks suffered a frustrating 135-131 loss to the Indiana Pacers, blowing a seven-point lead in the final minute due to missed free throws, costly turnovers, and inexperience. The defeat pushed Dallas out of the play-in tournament race, with the Phoenix Suns overtaking them for the 10th seed after a win against the Chicago Bulls.
As questions swirl about whether the Mavericks should bring back Anthony Davis for their final 12 games, one young player has emerged as a major bright spot. In just his second game with Dallas on a two-way contract, Kai Jones impressed with 18 points on 8-9 shooting and 11 rebounds, showcasing his energy, athleticism, and defensive impact.
Kai Jones Should Take Over Dwight Powell’s Role
With Dallas’ frontcourt depth in flux, Jones has made a strong case for a larger role, potentially at the expense of veteran center Dwight Powell. Powell holds a player option this summer on the final year of his three-year, $12 million contract. While he may opt in, the Mavericks could explore trading or waiving him to clear space for Jones.
If all of Dallas’ bigs were healthy, Powell would likely find himself out of the rotation. The Mavericks will need to sign Jones to a standard contract by April 10 if they want to secure his future with the team, as his continued strong play could attract interest from other teams.
A New Era for the Mavericks’ Frontcourt
While Powell has been a respected veteran and leader for Dallas, his on-court contributions have diminished, and at 34 years old, the Mavericks may need to move on. With Jones proving to be a more dynamic option, it makes little sense for Dallas to carry five centers.
If Jones signs elsewhere, bringing Powell back could be a fallback option, but the Mavericks appear to have found a hidden gem in the 24-year-old big man. Despite past concerns over his social media activity, Jones has silenced doubts with strong performances for both the Mavericks and Clippers this season.
Dallas has multiple promising two-way players, but if the team can only retain a few, Jones and Brandon Williams should be the top priorities. With the Mavericks’ history of frontcourt injuries, keeping Jones as a rotational big over Powell would be a smart long-term move.
