D'Angelo Russell is quickly becoming the terrifying swing factor for Mavericks

Entering the offseason, the Dallas Mavericks knew they had to load up at the guard position after Kyrie Irving tore his ACL at the end of March, which could sideline him until January or February of next year. Not only did the Mavericks need ball handlers with Irving out, but the team also needed playmakers. In doing so, they signed D'Angelo Russell to a two-year, team-friendly contract in the opening hours of free agency.

Throughout Russell's career, he has been known as a score-first type player, but in his older age, Russell has molded his game into a more savvy veteran playstyle. While Russell's playstyle has shifted throughout the years, the Mavericks desperately need a stopgap guard who can not only score the ball to attract defenses, but Dallas also needs someone who can run the offense until Irving returns.

As scary as it may seem, Russell may be a defining figure for the Mavericks' success this coming season. If the nine-year veteran can come out hitting on all cylinders, the Mavericks could find themselves as one of the top teams in the Western Conference; however, if Russell follows what he has done in the past and shies away from the moment, Dallas could find themselves in a deep hole they may not be able to get themselves out of.

Russell is quickly becoming Dallas' most important swing factor

In the past, Russell has been a defining figure on some really good Los Angeles Lakers squads as well as Minnesota Timberwolves teams. At times, Russell was relied on as both of those teams' primary creator, and for most of the regular season, Russell would hold his end of the bargain until the playoffs tipped off.

Russell has historically struggled when games mattered the most, and in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, he was completely played out of the Lakers' rotation due to his inability to generate any offense and keep Jamal Murray away from the basket. By no means is Russell a bad defender, but his game has always struggled on the biggest stages, which is why he has had so much movement throughout his career.

In Dallas, Russell will be asked to do the same for a large chunk of the regular season, but unlike Minnesota and Los Angeles, Russell has an incentive to do well. Russell's two-year contract is only worth about $6 million annually with a player option in the second year, which gives him plenty of motivation to outplay his contract and ask for more money in the future.

Still, for the Mavericks, Russell has the potential to make next season special or derail what the Mavericks are attempting to build around a young Cooper Flagg. Russell is, without a doubt, one of the most volatile players in the entire league, and Nico Harrison still took a chance on the nine-year veteran.

Russell also chose to be in Dallas due to the opportunity he would have with the ball in his hands, and also to play alongside Irving once again, when he does eventually return to the hardwood. He wanted to be a Maverick badly, and he was granted his wish by Harrison soon after free agency began.

Russell won't only be asked to occasionally defend the opposing team's best guards, but he will also be tasked with dishing the ball and creating offense for the Mavericks. This will not only be a tall task for a player who has had struggles in his career with efficiency, but the Mavericks' success will heavily hinge on how good Russell can be, especially to begin the season.

The Mavericks could very well find themselves out of the playoff race early if Russell's struggles persist, and not to mention questioning why they even gave Russell a chance in the first place. On the flip side, Russell could also be motivated enough to earn a long-term contract with the Mavericks or another team, and could play some of the best basketball of his career by manning Dallas' offense and becoming an above-average defender at the point of attack.

As scary as it may sound, the Mavericks' ceiling will only go as high as Russell's success this season.