Dwight Powell joins Dallas Mavericks leadership council: What does it mean?

Dallas Mavericks big man Dwight Powell played in every game last season. Just over two years removed from an Achilles tear, he was able to suit up for all 100 games between the regular season and playoffs, including starting 89. Powell did not produce eye-popping numbers, but the Mavs reached the conference finals for the first time since 2011.

Dallas signed JaVale McGee in free agency, and head coach Jason Kidd name him the team’s starting center before the deal was officially announced. The move pushes DP to the bench, and he could be a DNP-CD on multiple occasions.

Powell may see his role decrease this season, but he is still a valuable piece in the locker room. The 31-year-old is one of the hardest workers on the team, and coach Kidd gave him a special honor at the start of the new year.

Dwight Powell joins Dallas Mavericks leadership council: What does it mean?

Jason Kidd implemented a leadership council after taking over as head coach in the summer of 2021. Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, and Tim Hardaway Jr. would meet with the Hall of Fame point guard to discuss how the team was feeling and to give the coaching staff ideas. The Mavs played every player on their roster in last season’s home opener at the request of the council.

When KP was traded to Washington at the deadline, the Mavericks leadership council shrunk to two players, and THJ’s season-ending foot injury meant just one player from it played in the playoffs.

Coach Kidd has preached chemistry and accountability since taking over, and the leadership council improves chemistry and gives the players a voice in the decisions being made by the coaching staff. They did not have that under Rick Carlisle.

Dwight Powell joins the council as the third member this season, according to coach Kidd. The 6’10 big man is also the team’s representative with the player’s association.

Fans poked fun at the leadership council last year, but it clearly did its job as the Dallas Mavericks reached the conference finals. Dwight Powell has joined the group, and it will be important for the team to keep that chemistry if they want to go on another deep playoff run. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.