Rookie Powell hopes to put down roots with the Mavs
All Dwight Powell wanted for Christmas was a chance to put down some roots.
Since being taken in the NBA Draft on June 26, Powell has played for four teams in fewer than six months. He’s made so many moves that it’s difficult for the mailman to keep up with him.
Now a member of the Dallas Mavericks, Powell hopes he’s finally in a stable position where he can show that he can deliver the goods when need be.
“I think I’m athletic, I can shoot the ball, I take pride in my defense, try to guard multiple positions, rebound the ball,” Powell said in describing himself. “For the most part, just bring heart, bring effort.
“In the position I’m at right now, having been traded a couple of times and landing here, I’m really looking forward to the opportunity. But I also want to work as hard as I can to stay here and show my values, show my worth and contribute to this team.”
Powell was the other player involved in the blockbuster trade when the Mavs acquired Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics on Dec. 18 for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, a 2015 first-round draft pick, a 2016 second-round draft pick and a $12.9 million trade exception.
While Rondo was the jewel of the trade as far as Dallas is concerned, the Mavs want everyone to know they weren’t going to do the deal unless Powell was included in it.
“He can shoot threes, he can rebound, he can defend,” owner Mark Cuban said. “He’s a stretch four [power forward] in a lot of respects, a stretch five [center] in a lot of respects.
“He can shoot the ball, so that’s why he’s here. That’s why we wanted him.”
Before the Charlotte Hornets used the 45th overall pick to draft Powell in June, he worked out with the Mavs in the days leading up to the draft.
“We like him a lot and brought him in several times, and then we actually tried to get a pick to grab him,” Cuban said. “When we were allowed to push him into the [Rondo] deal, it was great for us.
“When he’s confident and shooting the ball well, he’s a really athletic big who can stroke it.”
The Hornets traded Powell’s draft rights to the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 12. And then on Sept. 25 the Cavs dealt Powell (6-foot-11, 240) to the Celtics, where he played only nine minutes and scored nine points in just four games before getting traded to the Mavs.
Now that he’s away from the youngsters in Boston and has aligned himself with veterans such as Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler, Powell hopes he’s on a fast track to quickly learning how to become a productive player in this league.
“There’s a lot I can learn from both of those players on both ends of the court, in the locker room and on the court,” Powell said. “I’m looking forward to spending time with those guys and just picking up as much as I can, because they obviously have an almost endless wealth of knowledge compared to me.
“I’m a young player and this is obviously a veteran team with great players, and I’m going to come in here and try to work as hard as I can and contribute in any way I can and try to make a name for myself that way.”
Powell was a two-time first-team All-Pac 12 player the past two seasons at Stanford. He averaged 14.9 points and 8.4 rebounds during his junior year, and 14 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season.
The Mavs, who host the Los Angeles Lakers at 7:30 p.m. Friday at American Airlines Center, visualize Powell as a backup at both power forward and center. He just hopes they also visualize him as someone who can be here long-term.
“Obviously I’m a young player and I’ve moved around a little bit,” Powell said. “But I’m hoping to stay here for as long as I can and I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Dwain Price, 817-390-7760
New kid on the block
▪ Dwight Powell is a Toronto-born, 23-year-old center who stands 6-foot-11 and 240 pounds. In high school, he attended the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. where he averaged 23.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.3 blocks as a senior.
▪ He was drafted 45th overall in 2014 by Charlotte from Stanford University where he was a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection. Powell was named Pac-12 scholar-athlete of the year his senior season. He was the Pac-12 most improved player after his junior season and was on the Pac-12 all freshman team in 2011.
▪ A month after being drafted by Charlotte, he was traded to Cleveland. In September, he was traded to Boston and in December, he was traded to the Mavericks.
▪ His NBA career consists of 10 minutes of action spread over six games. He is 4 of 5 shooting from the field and 1 of 2 from the free throw line for nine points. He scored six against the Spurs on Nov. 11.
This story was originally published December 25, 2014 at 9:26 PM with the headline "Rookie Powell hopes to put down roots with the Mavs."