Dallas locked in D’Angelo Russell on a two-year, $13 million deal to steady the offense while Kyrie Irving heals, a move aimed at keeping the Mavericks’ attack cohesive with Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson as surrounding talent in the broader discussion. Russell’s career averages (17.3 PPG, 5.7 APG) suggest he’ll be more than a stopgap and should help with floor spacing and decision-making as Dallas navigates injury-prone star timing. Brooklyn’s disciplined, structure-first culture stands out as a blueprint the Mavericks hope to borrow, especially on smart recovery and professionalism.

Russell’s path—LA, Brooklyn, Golden State, Minnesota—built a professional baseline that Dallas hopes to leverage, balancing his shot creation with playmaking around a roster that’s viewed through the lens of durability. The Nets era is highlighted as a model for a serious, recovery-focused environment that could unlock peak efficiency for the supporting cast, even if the public persona of that team once looked more like a social-media sensation than a meticulous program.