Dusty May's Dwight Powell take reveals why he's still in the mix to make the Mavericks

When the Dallas Mavericks signed Dwight Powell for the preseason, fans were immediately skeptical that he would have a chance to make the team. He's 35 years old, over 15 years older than Cooper Flagg, and Dallas' center depth seems stout enough with Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, Morez Johnson Jr., and Santi Aldama holding down the fort.

Dwight Powell's return once seemed unlikely

The team also already had 15 players on standard contracts before signing him, and it seemed extremely unlikely that anyone would get cut for a 13th-year center whose on-court production has declined over the last few years.

Powell is in a good spot to make the team

A few weeks later, Powell's chances of staying in Dallas beyond the preseason are improving — especially after seeing what head coach Dusty May said about him while the team was in Macao, China, for their two preseason games against the Houston Rockets.

Powell played 28 minutes over these two games and put up four points, six rebounds, 10 assists, and one steal. DP being ahead of Moussa Cisse in the rotation was notable, especially since the Mavericks let his contract become guaranteed earlier this month, and May was asked about his decision to play Powell over some of his other options.

Dusty May loves what Powell brings

"When you watch the game, it’s fairly obvious his ability to connect and keep the group organized," May said. "When you look at the age of — especially our second unit — Sergio and Max and all these young guys, it just gives us another pressure release and outlet. He generates great looks. He’s a very smart veteran basketball player."

May likes the way Powell plays within the second unit, and with Lively II still out of the lineup as he recovers from foot surgery, this could be a role that Dusty keeps him in at the beginning of the regular season. He clearly likes Powell's connectivity, leadership, and selflessness, and he has the highest basketball IQ of any of Dallas' big men.

Powell thrives in the pick-and-roll as both a finisher and screen-setter, and this is a valuable skill for a team filled with young players. He does all of the little things, on and off the ball, and May seems to really admire his ability to make those around him better.

"So there are a number of different components to the development of young players," May said. "Putting him out there with guys who (he) is trying to assist them, make them better, screen well for them. It’s just a decision where we felt like we are playing well with him on the floor. We’re very, very comfortable."

May likes how his team looks when Powell is on the court, and with the head coach being this high on him, the Mavericks could look for ways to create a roster spot for him with a week to go until the regular season. The Mavs would have to waive someone or make a consolidation trade to keep Powell around, and if May is speaking this highly of Powell and utilizing him this often during the preseason, his route to remaining with the team is looking much clearer than before.

Powell is more than a veteran leader

While Powell has always been known as a good leader and locker room guy, May's analysis of his game underlines how he's much more than that. Dwight may not be putting up big scoring nights or dominating the glass, but he makes his teammates better, operates well in a system, and is extremely coachable.

He has been the definition of a true Maverick since he joined the team in 2014, and he is still in the middle of the mix to make Dallas' 15-man roster. The team has two more preseason games, one tonight and one on Friday, and his performance and role in these games could be a great indicator of what his future with the Mavs looks like beyond this week.

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