The Dallas Mavericks waived veteran center Dwight Powell on Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports, and kept second-year center Moussa Cissé. The Lakers had been linked to Cissé as a backup to Walker Kessler, so that option is gone. Powell is now available, but no sourced reporting has tied him to the Lakers.
Over the weekend, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported that Cissé was “a real candidate to be claimed off waivers in the event he is let go.” Stein also reported that the 76ers and Lakers would have strong interest in signing Cissé to a two-way deal if he cleared waivers, even though neither team had a two-way opening.
On his Buha’s Block show, Jovan Buha called Cissé possibly “the only guy that I think rises to the level of potentially being a rotation-level player.”
Kessler is the Lakers’ only true center, with Kevon Looney and Sandro Mamukelashvili also on the roster. Their other reported lead has stalled: Jake Fischer reported exploratory talks between the Lakers and Bucks involving Dalton Knecht and second-round draft capital for Jericho Sims, but sources briefed on the talks expressed pessimism.
The Lakers carry 16 players on standard contracts and must get down to the league limit of 15 by Monday, Oct. 19.
Heavy has suggested Powell as a replacement target, but that is the outlet’s own speculation. Powell turned 35 in July and averaged 3.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in 2025-26. He re-signed with Dallas on Sept. 25 on a one-year, minimum-salary contract that was partially guaranteed for $1 million.
Powell Would Cost the Lakers a Second Roster Spot
The Lakers were going after Cissé on a two-way deal, which shows what they wanted: a young center who would not take one of their 15 standard roster spots. Powell is the opposite.
He is a veteran at the end of his career, and signing him would mean cutting two players from a roster that is already one over the limit, not just one. Their only reported trade path runs through Knecht, a player teams do not appear to value much.
That makes Powell a possible fit on the court but a costly one for the roster. The cheapest outcome is that the Lakers start the season with Looney and Mamukelashvili behind Kessler.
Roster Deadline Comes Before Powell Clears Waivers
Teams must set opening-night rosters by 2 p.m. PT on Monday, Oct. 19, so the Lakers have to decide on Knecht, Jaden Hardy or Bronny James before Powell is available.
If no team claims him, Powell will clear waivers Wednesday. That is also the day the Lakers open the season against the Warriors.
Source: Shams Charania of ESPN
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