D’Angelo Russell’s Rough Ride in Dallas: What Went Wrong and What Comes Next
When D’Angelo Russell signed with the Dallas Mavericks this past summer, the move looked like a calculated gamble-a veteran guard betting on himself by joining a contending team, taking less money for a bigger role. Fast forward to the heart of the season, and that bet hasn’t just come up short-it’s backfired in a way few could’ve predicted.
Russell’s numbers tell a tough story. Through this point in the season, he’s averaging just 10.4 points and 19.5 minutes per game-both career lows outside of his rookie year.
His assist numbers have dipped, his playing time has shrunk, and perhaps most tellingly, he’s picked up a few Did Not Play - Coach’s Decision along the way. For a 29-year-old guard with no major injuries and plenty of NBA experience, that’s a jarring turn.
This isn’t just a cold shooting stretch or a minor slump. Russell has found himself on the outside of the Mavericks' rotation, overtaken by Ryan Nembhard, an undrafted rookie who’s gone from relative unknown to starter in a matter of weeks. That’s not just about youth or upside-it’s about fit, and so far, Russell just hasn’t meshed with what Dallas is trying to build.
A Risk That Didn’t Pay Off
Russell joined the Mavericks on a $5.7 million Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception deal, a contract that raised eyebrows not for its cost, but for what it implied: this was a player choosing opportunity over dollars. With Kyrie Irving recovering from a torn ACL, the Mavericks needed backcourt help alongside Luka Dončić, and Russell saw a chance to step into a meaningful role on a playoff-caliber team.
But the on-court results haven’t followed. The Mavericks struggled mightily with Russell running the show, and once Nembhard took over, the team began to stabilize.
It’s not all on Russell-basketball is never that simple-but the optics are hard to ignore. The team improved when he hit the bench, and that’s the kind of narrative that sticks.
The Fallout and the Future
Russell’s situation is a tough one. He took a pay cut for a chance to prove his value and win games.
Instead, he’s lost both the role and the leverage. As the trade deadline approaches, his name will inevitably surface in rumors, but his diminished role and rocky performance in Dallas won’t make him an easy piece to move.
If he stays, he may have to ride out the season in a limited role, trying to salvage what he can.
This season could have long-term implications. Front offices around the league are watching, and while Russell’s talent isn’t in question, his fit, impact, and ability to adapt to a new system are. That’s the kind of thing that sticks with a player as he heads into free agency-especially one who’s now viewed as a potential liability rather than a solution.
The Roads Not Taken
It’s fair to wonder what might have happened if Russell had chosen a different path. Orlando, for instance, could’ve offered a more stable bench role on a rising team. He wouldn’t have been the starter, but he might’ve found a clearer lane to contribute without the pressure of leading the offense.
Brooklyn could’ve been another option-less competitive, perhaps, but with more minutes and a chance to rebuild his value before a potential trade to a contender. Other teams like Sacramento, Detroit, Atlanta, or Houston may have had varying levels of interest, but none presented the same mix of opportunity and spotlight that Dallas did.
In hindsight, that spotlight has only magnified the struggles.
What Comes Next?
The Mavericks still have time to figure out how Russell fits, if at all, into their long-term plans. But right now, he’s caught in a tough spot-too experienced to be buried on the bench, yet not impactful enough this season to demand a bigger role.
For Russell, the challenge is clear: find a way to contribute, whether in Dallas or elsewhere, and remind teams around the league of the player he’s been. Because right now, this season is shaping up to be a crossroads moment in his career-and how he responds could define what comes next.
It’s not the season D’Angelo Russell envisioned. But the story isn’t over yet.