Dwight Harlan Powell. Remember that name, because he became one of the most important Dallas Mavericks in team history. Who saw that coming, right? Especially when he was just a young, undersized big man tossed into a trade that everyone thought was going to set the franchise back for years.
That 2014-2015 Mavs Squad Was Electric… Then Came Rondo
Back in the winter of 2014, things were looking straight up golden for the Mavs. That 2014-2015 team, man, they were just incredibly fun to watch with Dirk Nowitzki, Monta Ellis, and Tyson Chandler. For those first few months, they even boasted the best offensive rating in league history! It really felt like they could make a serious title run, their best shot since winning it all in 2011. Then the news broke: the Rajon Rondo trade. My friends and I were hyped, thinking Dallas was adding the final, missing piece to the puzzle. We knew there were concerns about how Rondo would fit with both the roster and Coach Rick Carlisle, but bringing in a talent like Rondo felt like a risk absolutely worth taking.
A Disaster of a Trade That Unexpectedly Saved the Franchise
Turns out, it was a disaster. Rondo fit horribly, he clashed hard with both Carlisle and Dirk, and he eventually quit on the team as the Mavericks flamed out in the first round of the playoffs. It was a disastrous trade, one that didn’t just blow up a promising season, but had the potential to set the franchise back for years to come. But here’s the wild part: it didn’t. When Dallas made that fateful trade with the Boston Celtics, they tossed a young, undersized big man into the deal. His name was Dwight Harlan Powell, and he became a core piece of this franchise.
From Undersized Throw-In to Cornerstone
When Powell first arrived in Dallas, nobody really knew what to make of him. He was drafted 45th overall in 2014 by the Hornets, then he bounced from Charlotte to Cleveland, before finally settling with the Celtics to start his rookie season. Powell played just nine total minutes for Boston before the Rondo deal, so Maverick fans had pretty much zero reference points. He worked his way into a depth role for Dallas that season, appearing in a handful of games and mostly shooting pick-and-pop midrange jumpers. I remember thinking, “This guy can shoot a bit, and he moves pretty well, too.” But that was never going to be a viable long-term role for a player of Powell’s size.
That initial impression barely scratched the surface of what Dwight Powell would grow into. From an unexpected throw-in in a trade that went horribly wrong to becoming one of the most important Mavericks in team history, his journey is a wild one. Who knew a deal gone so bad could bring something so incredibly right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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