D’Angelo Russell’s Fit in Dallas Hasn’t Just Been Awkward - It’s Been Unplayable
When the Dallas Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell in free agency, the move raised eyebrows - and not in the good way. Coming off the worst season of his career, with questions swirling about his impact on winning and a noticeable dip in efficiency over the past few years, Russell didn’t exactly scream “perfect fit.” Especially not for a team that’s been trying to forge its identity on the defensive end.
Still, Dallas needed a stopgap. With Kyrie Irving expected to miss time to start the season, the Mavs were in the market for a playmaker - someone who could keep the offense afloat, set the table for Luka Dončić, and maybe even provide some scoring punch off the bench.
On paper, Russell seemed like a low-risk, medium-reward option at two years and $11.7 million. But more than a third into the season, that deal is looking less like a bargain and more like a burden.
The Experiment Hasn’t Worked - And Everyone Knows It
Russell’s role in Dallas has shrunk by the week. He’s been floated in trade rumors, but his on-court struggles and limited minutes have likely tanked his value.
He has a player option after this season, and with his current trajectory, it’s hard to imagine him turning that down. The Mavericks could be stuck with him for the full length of the deal - unless they’re willing to attach assets just to move him.
Monday night was a telling moment. With the Mavericks in desperate need of offensive organization - shot creation, ball security, anything - head coach Jason Kidd opted to keep Russell glued to the bench.
Even after Brandon Williams went down with an ankle injury and Ryan Nembhard struggled to find rhythm, Russell never got the call. Not a single minute.
For a veteran guard with his résumé, that’s a red flag the size of Texas.
This wasn’t a one-off either. Russell’s been a DNP-CD (Did Not Play - Coach’s Decision) multiple times in recent weeks.
And when he has played, his impact has been minimal. He’s cracked 30 minutes just twice all season and has started only three games.
That’s a far cry from the expectations that came with his signing - and a sign that Kidd’s trust in him is practically nonexistent.
From Opening Night Hopes to Rotation Afterthought
It’s easy to forget now, but Russell was once seen as a legitimate candidate to start at point guard on opening night. Instead, Kidd turned to Cooper Flagg - a move that spoke more to Flagg’s upside than Russell’s shortcomings at the time.
But even as a bench piece, Russell couldn’t find a rhythm early. He logged just 24 total minutes across the first two games of the season, and it quickly became clear that he was fighting an uphill battle for playing time.
Eventually, injuries and backcourt inconsistencies forced Kidd to give Russell more run. But the opportunity didn’t last. His time as a rotation staple was short-lived, and the coaching staff’s reluctance to lean on him now says everything about where things stand.
The Disconnect Between Front Office and Sideline
This feels like a classic case of front office vision clashing with coaching reality. Nico Harrison brought Russell in to fill a gap - a veteran guard who could stabilize the offense in Kyrie’s absence.
But Kidd never seemed sold. Whether it was Russell’s defensive limitations, his streaky shooting, or his fit within the team’s system, the disconnect has been obvious.
Now, just 30 games into a two-year deal, the Mavericks are reportedly already looking for ways to move on. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that’s trying to maximize a championship window around Luka and Kyrie.
Every roster spot matters. Every contract counts.
And right now, Russell’s deal looks like a misstep the Mavericks are eager to correct.
What’s Next for Russell - and the Mavs?
For Russell, the path forward is murky. He’s not playing enough to rebuild his value, and the Mavericks don’t appear interested in giving him the opportunity to do so. Unless a trade materializes - and that’s no guarantee - he may be stuck in limbo for the rest of the season, collecting DNPs while the team explores other options.
As for Dallas, this situation underscores the importance of alignment between the front office and coaching staff. The Mavs are still a team with real playoff aspirations, but every move - even the smaller ones - can have ripple effects.
Signing Russell was supposed to be a low-risk bridge. Instead, it’s become a cautionary tale.
The writing was on the wall from the start. Now, it’s etched in bold.