Why 'powell' is Trending in India: Dwight Powell's Possible Return to Dallas Mavericks

The search term powell has seen a significant spike in India, driven by reports that NBA veteran Dwight Powell may return to the Dallas Mavericks for the 2026-27 season. While Google Trends indicates a broader interest in sports, the specific surge surrounding "powell" aligns with news of the 35-year-old center's recent activities with his former team.

Dwight Powell's Potential Mavericks Homecoming

In September 2026, Dwight Powell participated in a minicamp in Los Angeles led by Kyrie Irving, working out at the PLYRS UNTD Performance Center [1]. According to league sources cited by Marc Stein, there is an expectation that Powell will receive a formal training camp invitation, despite the Mavericks already holding 15 standard NBA contracts [2].

Powell is currently an unsigned free agent. His history with the franchise is extensive; he spent 12 seasons in Dallas after being traded from the Boston Celtics in December 2014 [3]. Over 763 games, he averaged 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, establishing himself as a fan favorite [2].

Roster Context and the 2026-27 Season

The Mavericks' roster management in mid-2026 has created a complex situation for Powell's return. On August 21, 2026, the team announced a contract buyout with Klay Thompson, who was due $17.5 million in the final year of his deal [3]. This move reduced the team's standard contract count to 15.

While a training camp invite allows Powell to compete for a spot, it does not guarantee a contract. The team's final roster must be finalized before the regular season begins on October 21, 2026 [3].

Upcoming NBA China Games

The urgency of the Mavericks' training camp is heightened by their early preseason schedule. The team is scheduled to participate in the NBA China Games, with two matchups against the Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena in Macau on October 9 and October 11, 2026 [3].

Dwight Powell: Career Snapshot with Dallas

Metric	Detail
Games Played	763
Career Averages	6.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG
Tenure	12 Seasons (joined Dec 2014)
Notable Achievement	Franchise record 18 consecutive field goals