D'Angelo Russell’s release makes Mavericks' decision to move on look smarter

Dallas Mavericks 2025 free-agent signing D'Angelo Russell is on the move again after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies Friday morning. Memphis reportedly made the decision to move on from Russell to sign undrafted rookie Brendan Hausen. The former No. 2 overall pick will be looking to join his seventh team since the 2022-23 season. With Russell without a team once again, it seems the Mavericks made a smart decision to move on from him when they did in February.

D'Angelo Russell's time with the Mavericks was short-lived

Russell signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Mavericks during the 2025 offseason. It was still unclear when Kyrie Irving would make his return from his ACL tear, and the Mavericks believed Russell could help fill the gap left by Irving’s absence and later play alongside him.

Unfortunately, Russell appeared in only 26 of a possible 51 games for the Mavericks, starting just three before being traded right before the deadline. Russell ultimately never found favor with Coach Kidd and ended his Mavericks tenure with nearly as many DNPs as games played.

Russell was sent to Washington alongside Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, and Dante Exum. Russell, Hardy, and Exum's roles in the trade were overshadowed by Davis's departure, as he infamously joined the team at the previous deadline in exchange for franchise star Luka Doncic.

Russell's departure helped shape the Mavericks' rebuild

After being traded, he did not play once for the Wizards. Instead, Russell was moved again on July 8 as part of a six-team deal that included the Mavericks. Dallas sent Khris Middleton (acquired in the original Russell trade) back to Washington and sent A.J. Johnson (also acquired in the previous Russell trade) to Memphis in exchange for Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser, and the rights to Tarik Biberovic.

Although Russell hasn’t been on the court for the Mavericks in some time, Mavericks fans will have him to thank, at least somewhat, for the current construction of this upcoming season's roster. Aldama, Sasser, and Biberovic will be exciting additions ahead of the 2026-27 season as the Mavericks look to move on from the era Russell joined.

This isn't the end for Russell's NBA career

Memphis’s latest decision to move on from him before training camp is unfortunate for fans of Russell, but the 11-year NBA veteran could get his shot at making it back on the court with a new team soon. When he performs well, he's an immensely dangerous passer with the ball in his hands. He certainly still has the ability to lead the second unit of a fledgling team, and with the new era of lottery odds, even bad teams will need to stay competitive long into the season.

The Mavericks are still looking for reliable minutes at point guard, especially if Irving isn't at full strength early in the season. A reunion seems unlikely, though, even with the departure of Jason Kidd, as Russell seems to have hard feelings about his time in Dallas.

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