Mavericks' disastrous offseason move hits new low as former MVP exposes their mistake

The Dallas Mavericks' biggest offseason signing this past summer was signing D'Angelo Russell. Signing Russell was pivotal to make sure solid point guard depth was there until Kyrie Irving returns from his ACL tear. However, signing Russell has been a failure so far in Dallas.

Russell's play has taken a huge drop, and he hasn't fit in well at all. The poor play of Russell has fallen on former general manager Nico Harrison. While Russell is playing poorly, Harrison could've signed future Hall of Fame point guard Russell Westbrook instead. Based on this season, Westbrook would've been so much better over Russell, and it's not even close.

Westbrook wasn't signed until less than a week before the Sacramento Kings' season opener. It was uncertain how Westbrook would fit into the Kings' system, with being signed so late into the offseason. However, since Westbrook has signed with the Kings, he's proven into a solid late addition. To make matters worse, Westbrook is showing he would've been a better signing than Russell in Dallas.

Mavericks should've taken a chance on Russell Westbrook

At 37 years old this season, Westbrook's 14.1 points per game are the fifth-highest on the Kings roster. Westbrook also leads the Kings in rebounds and assists, and is tied for the second-most steals on the team as well. Westbrook has turned into one of the Kings' most important players this season.

His energy has been one of the few bright spots on a struggling Kings squad, and his presence in Dallas would've been welcomed with open arms.

Westbrook was in desperate need of a bounce-back season after last season's up-and-down year with the Denver Nuggets. So far, Westbrook is thriving on a bad 5-15 Kings team. Westbrook is showing that he has more to offer this season than most teams would've thought, and that is where the Mavericks could've signed the former MVP.

Unlike Russell, Westbrook can create his own shot, rebound at an elite rate, defend with great energy, hustle on both ends, and bring intensity to a team. Russell's first season in Dallas sure has turned into a disaster, as his inconsistency and shot-chucking have sent him to the end of the bench. Russell hasn't filled the role that Irving would provide. As a result, the Mavericks have been losing and are at the bottom of the Western Conference.

Not signing Westbrook also adds salt to the wound due to Dante Exum being shut down for the rest of the Mavericks' season after having knee surgery. The Mavericks could've had a veteran point guard in Westbrook, who can run the offense and provide veteran leadership like Irving, but have a mess with Russell and Exum.

This season is shaping out to be one of the worst seasons in Mavericks history. Signing Westbrook could've helped out way more than Russell, and Dallas is stuck with poor point guard play instead.

Teams are always afraid to sign Westbrook due to his controversial playstyle and concerns about fit, but with how poorly the Mavericks are playing, he would've at least been someone whom they could rely upon to give their all every night. The same can't be said about Russell, as his sporadic role has seemed to throw him into a funk, and Dallas is paying for not properly addressing their hole at point guard.