No team has made more headlines over the last few months than the Dallas Mavericks. Even more than the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are fresh off their first NBA title and have the reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Mavericks have dominated basketball news with shocking moves and an incredible stroke of draft lottery luck.
Mavericks Seek Veteran Guard After Blockbuster Moves
Prior to the 2025 trade deadline, the Mavericks shipped star guard Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team deal. The franchise drew heavy criticism for the trade but acquired future Hall-of-Famer Anthony Davis in return.
Dallas then inexplicably won the NBA Draft Lottery and selected Duke’s Cooper Flagg with the top pick, providing hope for the future. However, the team still faces immediate challenges in the backcourt.
The Mavericks had hoped to pair Davis with former NBA champion Kyrie Irving, but Irving suffered a torn ACL that ended his season in March. Although Irving declined his $43 million player option and agreed to a 3-year, $119 million deal, and he plans to return at some point next year with a timetable laid out, Dallas still needs a replacement for Dončić and a guard to run the show while Irving recovers.
The franchise appears to have a specific veteran in mind.
D’Angelo Russell Emerges as Top Target
The Mavericks may be turning to another veteran to help them replace Dončić and fill in for Irving, in Brooklyn Nets point guard D’Angelo Russell.
Dallas “continues to be described by rival teams as the overwhelming favorites” to sign Russell in free agency, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
REPORT: The Dallas Mavericks “continue to be described by rival teams as the overwhelming favorites” to sign D’Angelo Russell in free agency, per @TheSteinLine
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— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) June 29, 2025
Russell brings extensive experience to the table after a well-traveled NBA career. The Lakers selected him with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft before trading him to the Nets in 2017, along with Timofey Mozgov for Brook Lopez and the rights to Kyle Kuzma. The trade came after an alleged controversy involving Russell, teammate Nick Young, and Young’s fiancée at the time, Iggy Azalea.
The point guard became an All-Star in 2019 during his first stint in Brooklyn. Later that year, he was shipped to the Golden State Warriors as part of a sign-and-trade package for Kevin Durant. Russell was then dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal involving Andrew Wiggins in 2020. He returned to the Lakers in a three-way deal in 2023 before being traded back to the Nets in 2024.
Perfect Fit for Mavericks’ Needs
Russell provides significant experience and can still put the ball in the basket effectively. His playmaking ability, specifically his passing, addresses exactly what the Mavericks need while Irving recovers and Flagg adjusts to the NBA game.
Other veterans, like Russell Westbrook, could also be options for Dallas as they explore the free-agent market.
Russell posted solid numbers in the 2024-25 season, averaging 12.6 points, 5.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 24.7 minutes per game across 58 games. He shot 39.0% from the field, 83.4% from the free-throw line, and 31.4% from beyond the arc.
For a franchise still reeling from the controversial Dončić trade and looking to remain competitive while developing their lottery pick, Russell represents a veteran presence who can bridge the gap between eras in Dallas.
