A veteran floor general was necessary for the Dallas Mavericks in 2025–26 because Kyrie Irving was out for the majority of the season.
D’Angelo Russell, a former guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, was signed by Dallas instead of Chris Paul, a 40-year-old player who was strongly associated with the team during free agency.
According to NBA commentator Skip Bayless, Irving’s financial sacrifice was the sole factor that allowed the trade to happen.
Irving’s Contract Restructure Enabled Russell Signing
The past six months have been a roller coaster for the Mavericks and their fan base. After general manager Nico Harrison’s contentious decision to trade fan favorite Luka Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Dallas encountered a series of injuries that caused them to stumble late in the season.
Landing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft helped set Dallas back on track. The Mavs selected highly rated Cooper Flagg out of Duke. However, a long-term injury to Irving remained a concern, and Dallas needed someone to fill his void before he returns in 2026.
Paul was the favorite candidate, but he apparently wants to play on the West Coast to be closer to his family and children in Los Angeles. That likely eliminated him as an option for Dallas, leading them to Russell instead. The team agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the veteran guard.
“Oh, so the financial sacrifice Kyrie made allowed the Mavs to sign D’Lo as Kyrie’s replacement until his knee is 100%,” Bayless wrote while weighing in on the agreement. “I thought maybe they’d go for CP3. But D’Lo is obviously much younger and a better scorer. I get it.”
Financial Maneuvering Creates Cap Space
Irving held a $43 million player option for next season. Instead of testing free agency this offseason, the nine-time All-Star declined his option and agreed to a three-year, $119 million contract to remain in Dallas.
The move gave the franchise crucial financial flexibility under the restrictive salary cap.
The contract structure proved particularly beneficial for Dallas. Irving’s deal averages roughly $40 million annually, $3 million less per year than his declined option.
This modest reduction provided the Mavericks with access to the valuable $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception, which proved essential in signing Russell.
Russell played 58 games with the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets last season, averaging 12.6 points and 5.1 assists per game. While he struggled to reach the heights he achieved early in his career, the 29-year-old veteran remains a dangerous scorer who can make an immediate impact.
With Irving not expected to return before January 2026, Russell should see significant minutes for a Dallas roster desperately needing a playmaker.
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