Mavs' D'Angelo Russell pursuit could force polarizing guard's heartbreaking departure

Just days removed from drafting Cooper Flagg and changing the course of Dallas Maverick history forever, the team is forced to refocus on free agency and trying to acquire a stopgap point guard while Kyrie Irving remains sidelined with an ACL tear. Multiple names have emerged on fans' radars, but former Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell continues to be linked to the Mavericks, which could be the perfect player to replace Irving until he returns to the hardwood.

While in many fans' eyes, Russell may not be the best target for the Mavericks to acquire with the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception they gained after Irving took a pay cut when signing his extension, he may be the only player worth the money with the talent pool of guards available in free agency. In addition to Russell being one of the only names available, he has many connections with Maverick players such as Anthony Davis and Irving.

Russell is an interesting player with his unique playstyle and attention drawn to the teams he plays on, but his addition to this Mavericks squad would mean the roster would almost be capped out at 15 players, and likely the unfortunate end to a fan-favorite guard's tenure in Dallas.

Dante Exum's Mavs career would come to an end after Russell signing

Since Dante Exum signed with the Mavericks in 2023, his career has been up and down. While only signing for a two-year, $6.1 million contract after spending multiple seasons away from the NBA, his tenure in Dallas can be summed up by impressive play, but many injuries have kept him away from the court.

Exum's defense and playmaking abilities made him one of the players to watch last season as the Mavericks progressively got healthier towards the tail end of the season; however, he may be the odd man out when it comes to Dallas' roster this coming season. With the Mavericks in desperate need of guard help, Exum would fill a massive hole, but he may get attention from other teams for many other reasons.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks are in danger of losing Exum in free agency (paid subscription required), despite mutual interest in re-signing the Australian guard if they sign Russell or another veteran guard.

"League sources say that the Mavericks also have interest in re-signing guard Dante Exum, who becomes a free agent Monday," Stein wrote. "But signing Russell or any other veteran guard with their taxpayer midlevel exception would take Dallas' roster to a full 15 standard contracts. There won't be any room for Exum if the Mavericks get 15."

While Exum may not be the most important player on the Mavericks' roster, his departure would surely spark outrage amongst fans if the Mavericks were to miss out on Russell or other veteran guard targets. Exum is precisely what the Mavericks are in need of; however, with the health concerns Exum brings, he may be a better fit on another team.

With Russell likely signing with the Mavericks, it would mean their roster is capped out at 15 players, which would mean the team would need to waive someone or trade away more contracts than they are receiving in a trade for the team to have roster spots available.