How the Mavericks 11th-Year Guard Is Earning His Place in Dallas

For most of this young season, Mavericks guard D’Angelo Russell has hovered somewhere between steady and streaky. He has shown flashes of the all-star he once was, mixed with a blend of cold stretches. However, Saturday night in Mexico City, Russell reminded everyone of what his best version looks like. He put up 31 points, hitting seven threes and grabbing seven rebounds in the loss to Detroit. Despite the result, Russell’s performance gave fans a glimpse of the kind of floor general the Mavs envisioned when they brought him in, especially in Kyrie Irving’s absence.

Through the first stretch of games, Russell is averaging 14.2 points and five assists per game. These numbers don’t command headlines and national praise, but speak to his balance and consistency. He is not being asked to dominate the ball like Irving; rather, he’s meant to connect the Mavs’ veteran core and rookie centerpiece. That’s a different kind of responsibility for a player who has spent much of his career bouncing between roles and expectations, and it’s one he seems to be embracing. 

Replacing Irving’s scoring punch or flair was never the expectation when Russell signed on. What Dallas needed was a guard who could complement Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg, someone who could let the offense flow naturally without forcing anything. Russell’s patient pacing and passing bring that, especially in the reunion with Davis. His composure and veteran presence add structure to a roster that’s still trying to find its identity. His steady hand has quietly become essential in keeping the Mavs organized as a unit. 

Russell’s season hasn’t been without its challenges. There have been stretches where his shot disappears, and defensive lapses and turnovers have cost Dallas possessions. When he’s aggressive, the whole offense changes. His ability to create opportunities off the pick-and-roll, find open shooters, and make timely shots gives Jason Kidd’s system a balance it has lacked. Kidd has praised Russell, saying “[he’s] a guy who’s ready to leave it on the floor each and every night.”

His leadership doesn’t rely on volume or theatrics. It’s grounded in his experience. He’s played for six franchises in nine years and experienced the highs and lows of being a top pick and the humility of being traded away. That background gives him perspective, one that’s valuable to a Mavericks group mixing proven veterans with a rookie cornerstone.

The Mavericks couldn’t replicate Irving’s star power even if they tried. Russell was brought in to create continuity, stability, and leadership in the evolving franchise. His maturity and adaptability fit perfectly in the organization’s long-term vision. The Mavs are focused on building their next championship run’s foundation, and Russell’s presence represents exactly the kind of growth they’re after. In a season centered on development and identity, his poise has become the Mavericks’ quiet advantage.