Mavericks are sending D'Angelo Russell a harsh message he can’t ignore

The Dallas Mavericks clearly made a mistake in the offseason when they signed the veteran point guard D'Angelo Russell, and the Mavs are making it pretty clear that he's not going to be a part of their long-term plans. The Mavs did need an extra point guard with Kyrie Irving sidelined from his torn ACL injury, but Russell has been disappointing for the most part this season.

This is exactly what Mavs fans expected, though. After two stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, we knew there could be stretches of boom potential, but most of that has been a bust in a Dallas uniform. He hasn't been the ideal Irving replacement, but that's all he was supposed to be. Russell hasn't even lived up to that name, and he has been disappointing.

We've heard the rumors about Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Klay Thompson. Russell should probably be the first name involved in those talks, as it looks like he's getting less playing time every night. Russell isn't even averaging 20 minutes a game. It's time the Mavs should really think about moving him, as he's not supposed to be anything more than just a temporary replacement anyway.

D'Angelo Russell is not in the Mavericks' long-term plans

If you're in Jason Kidd's dog house, chances are you probably won't be getting out of it anytime soon. The confidence of Ryan Nembhard hasn't been stated enough, and Kidd looks like he's ready for the Mavs to sign him to a full-time deal when they get the chance. Before the season, Russell looked to be the obvious option at point guard while Cooper Flagg figures out the game, and Nembhard has just taken that away in just two months.

Despite the rookie's incredible start, Nembhard has to get past something that Russell has. It's the natural abilities to have length and play defense. Even with that said, there's still enough depth to keep Russell out of the lineup.

It's sad to say, but it's almost become an easy option for Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley to move Russell before the trade deadline. It seems they are thriving, not just with Nembhard, but also with Brandon Williams. Someone who was once looked at as a third-string point guard has elevated himself into starting territory. This wasn't supposed to be the plan, but it seems like the Mavs are in good hands.

Once Irving gets back, the depth will feel like an even deeper hole for Russell to climb out of. A backcourt rotation of Irving, Nembhard, and Williams will almost assure that Russell will fall completely out of the rotation. Irving may not even be at 100 percent when he returns, but the fans are looking forward to the day Irving returns to get some much-needed depth in the lineup.

The Mavs should trade Russell while they have the opportunity before the deadline, and the fact that he's barely playing says everything that fans need to know. Time will tell if Dallas acts on the recent trade rumors, and Russell could end up being the first player moved.