Dwight Powell's latest move makes Mavericks' case to keep him even stronger

Dwight Powell's standing with the Dallas Mavericks has quietly been one of the biggest talking points about the team over the last few weeks. With 16 players on standard contracts, Dallas must make a move to trim the roster to 15 players before the start of the regular season.

If the front office decides to keep Powell, they'll have to waive a player or make a consolidation trade to create a roster spot. Keeping Powell won't be easy, as parting with anyone on this roster would come with consequences, but DP just gave himself an edge for the Mavericks to keep him around as he enters his 13th season in the NBA.

Dwight Powell waived his right to block trades

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Powell has "waived his right (subscription required) to block trades in the event Dallas keeps him." Players who sign one-year deals with the team they finished the prior season with "are known as One-Year Birds who have the right to block trades on such one-year deals to avoid surrendering their Early Bird rights."

Powell waiving this right is notable, and as Stein noted, players in the past have made this same move "just to land the contract."

Why this move could help Powell make the team

While this move may seem small, it could be what helps Dwight land a spot on the 15-man roster.

It gave Dallas flexibility to move on from him ahead of the trade deadline if they please — an option they otherwise wouldn't have — and Powell is doing whatever he can to stick around. He's putting all his chips at the center of the table, forcing the Mavericks to decide whether they want to bring him back.

Powell's preseason role is worth monitoring

While Powell's future in Dallas looked murky before the preseason began, his position in Dusty May's rotation has been worth noting thus far. May played Powell 28 minutes over two games in Macao, which was seven more than Moussa Cisse — a player many have speculated could be the first to go if the Mavs want to keep Powell.

May opting to see more Powell minutes is at least a hint that they're still thinking about making room for him on the roster, and he's been serviceable in his time on the floor as well.

Powell's stock is rising

Before the preseason began, Powell's case to keep him on the roster was already solid. He's No. 5 on Dallas' all-time games played list, provides great veteran leadership, and has good basketball IQ. The Mavericks' roster is much younger compared to last year, and someone like DP gives the younger players a veteran to look up to and learn from.

Now, after Stein reported that Powell waived his right to block trades, his case to secure a roster spot is even stronger. Dallas wouldn't be stuck with him for the entire year, and if they need to balance the roster by making a trade, they could include Powell in such a deal.

Dwight's long-term future with the team will continue to be one of the biggest storylines until the season begins, as a move will need to get made at some point.

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