DALLAS - There are some circles in Dallas Mavericks Land that sort of wish for Dwight Powell to decline his player option. Should he do so, in search of a larger payday than the one presently due him -- his opt-in would pay him $10.3 million in 2019-20 -- it would not only free up that much money under the Mavs' cap, adding that $10.3 mil to what figures to already be almost $30 mil -- but it would also free DP to chase the even bigger dollars that he very well might deserve after another solid season in Dallas ... and a better-than-solid finish as a part-time starter here.

But Powell, speaking to us at Exit Interview Day on Thursday in the AAC basement, made it very clear that he prefers to remain a Mav, saying, "That's my goal.''

And owner Mark Cuban reinforced that mutual desire later in the day on the "Ben & Skin'' show on 105.3 The Fan, saying his plan is to retain Powell via an extension that would span three more seasons.

Powell, 27, just wrapped up his fourth full season with the Mavericks. He was originally drafted 45th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 2014 and was immediately dealt to the Boston Celtics Since coming to Dallas in 2014 as "another guy'' in the otherwise ill-fated Rajon Rondo trade, Powell has averaged 7.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.9 assists. The fifth-year pro had a career season this past year, though, averaging 10.6 points, 5.3 boards, and 1.5 assists while shooting a stellar 59.7 percent from the field, evidence of his elite finishing ability around the rim. And he especially turned it on late, with numbers that insist he can be a rotation player on a quality team.

The Mavericks are not that quality team yet. In 2018-19 they finished with the second-worst record in the Western Conference at 33-49. ... and retaining Powell is just a tiny part of what must be done to get better. He is highly athletic and highly conscientious, a diligent student and a diligent worker who has put tremendous effort into becoming a better perimeter shooter. He also views his role as a member of the Mavs in a Dirk Nowitzki-like way, believing that giving back to the community is an important part of playing in the NBA.

"I definitely want to be here,'' Powell said. "The opportunities that have been afforded to be between Mark (Cuban) and coach (Carlisle) ... I'm always grateful for that. And I love the city of Dallas. I want to stay here.''

For all these reasons, you can see the attraction to Dallas retaining Powell. And you can see why Powell would be open to such a move. That does not, however, make this "automatic'' or "immediate.'' The financial side of this is that Powell, should he agree to the extension Cuban plans to propose, can get a raise of up to 20 percent in the first new year and then raises of eight percent after that. That arrangement would add up thusly: The $10.3 mil for next year, then $12.36 mil (in 2020-21), then $13.35 mil (in 2021-22) then $14.35 mil (in 2022-23) = $50.3 mil for four years.

See the average of $12.575 mil ... and you begin to see Dallas' attraction to the idea. It's a fine pay day, of course, but up for debate as to whether he could get more on the open market. (While the Mavs suggest to me that this is a July 1 plan, it's worth noting that our David Lord reports that rules allow a three-year Powell extension to happen sooner than July 1, with a four-year extension having to happen after.)

But Powell is hardly an extravagant person; at Exit Interviews I asked him why he was wearing socks with palm trees on them, and added that I assumed they have something to so with offseason plans.

"Like, you're going to the beach?'' I said.

"No,'' he laughed, "these are In-and-Out Burger socks. Now that the season's over, I can eat In-and-Out Burger!''

If and when this new arrangement kicks in, Powell will be able to afford all the fast-food burgers he desires. (Only to be eaten in the offseason, of course). But one more note here -- and this is being widely misunderstood, too, because Cuban's statement to the fellas on the radio is leading people to think the Powell extension is coming, like, tomorrow.

By rule, to repeat, Powell never had to opt out to get more money; he can do so via this method, and can also stay in Dallas to boot. But while there can be an agreement for both sides to do so, along with him about to have his current contract extended with a raise of up to 20 percent, the action can not be taken until the free-agent shopping period begins July 1. There are a lot of moving parts about to churn at that time, with Dallas' No. 1 priority to retain Kristaps Porzingis with a five-year, $158-mil max offer. And after that comes the use of the $30 mil and the likely retention of Dwight Powell.