Grading every Dallas Mavericks player ahead of 2024 NBA Playoffs

7. Dwight Powell

Before the 2023-24 NBA season, it was unclear who the Dallas Mavericks' starting center would be. They had just drafted Dereck Lively II, fans had big expectations for Richaun Holmes, and Dwight Powell had tons of experience of being the starter in years past.

Most everyone was wrong as Maxi Kleber started at the five on opening night and Lively II was the starter by the second game. Powell had lost his starting spot from the previous two seasons, and that may have been the best for both sides.

This season for Dallas, Powell averaged 3.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 67.9 percent from the field and playing 13.3 minutes per game. Powell's numbers were the lowest they've ever been outside of his rookie year, and he wasn't playing as well as he had in years past.

Powell even looked unplayable at times during the regular season and that's not a good sign considering that the Mavs re-signed him on a three-year deal over the summer.

Powell remains an excellent locker-room guy and a great leader, but his quality of play has definitely gone down. With Dallas having Lively II and Daniel Gafford locked up for the extended future it doesn't look like Powell will ever have as big of a role as he once had, but he is huge for chemistry and never complained about his role despite it changing drastically.

Powell gets a C- on the year as he wasn't great when on the floor, but he is elite when it comes to his veteran leadership.