Monday morning hit Mavericks fans like a cold shower: their team announced they were waiving veteran center Dwight Powell. This isn’t just another roster move, man, this is a gut punch. Powell wasn’t just some guy on the bench, he was the longest-tenured player in Dallas, rocking nearly 12 full seasons with the squad. Think about that. He was there for the last dance of Dirk Nowitzki, through the entire Luka Dončić era, and even saw the start of Cooper Flagg’s emergence. That’s a legacy.
Powell’s Impact On And Off The Court
On the hardwood, Powell was a stabilizing force. He averaged 7 points and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes, giving you solid production whenever he stepped on the floor. His name is all over the Mavs record books, too: top 10 in rebounds, top 5 in bench scoring, and he even cracked the top 5 in games played for the franchise. This isn’t just some role player we’re talking about here. He was a foundational piece, a constant presence through so much change. Losing a guy like that leaves a hole far bigger than stats can measure.
What many fans outside of Dallas might not even realize is that Powell’s impact extended way beyond the basketball court. Dude is one of the NBA’s only known poets. Seriously. He’s connected words and hoops in a way few others have. In a 2024 interview, Powell explained, “Poetry and self-expression through the written word for me was around before the ball.” He sees it as a “great place for me to speak to myself and to learn about myself,” a sanctuary where he can “find peace.” While we’ve seen a renewed interest in literature in the NBA lately, like Scoot Henderson reading all the time or Victor Wembanyama and Harrison Barnes with their sci-fi book club, Powell’s connection to poetry runs deeper, you know? He doesn’t separate it from the game itself. “Poetry, art, basketball, I honestly don’t see any separation,” he said in 2024, emphasizing that they are “all different translations of the same message.”
More Than Just a Hobby, It Was His Way
This wasn’t just a hobby for Powell, either. His love for literature fueled his philanthropy in Dallas. Back in 2022, he hosted the Mavs Reading Challenge at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, reading Barbara Barber’s *Allie’s Basketball Dream* to kids. He told them, “One of the coolest parts about reading for me is that you can teleport yourself to a different place, to be a different person and view the world in a different way.” He talked about how reading let him “explore with my mind” as a child. This dude wasn’t just playing basketball, he was building community, inspiring kids, and showing what it means to be a true professional athlete. At a 2024 Poetry in the Square event, Powell reminded everyone that artistic expression is proof that “you c” (the quote cuts off, but you get the message, right?).
So, what’s next for Dwight Powell? As his Mavericks chapter closes, it sounds like poetry might just light his way forward. It’s a bittersweet moment for Dallas, losing a true veteran, a steady hand, and a unique voice in the league. That’s a loss that hits hard.
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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