Russell had yet another tumultuous season in 2024-25. He began the season in Los Angeles, but he quickly fell out of favor with the Lakers as he shot 41.3 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc. A mid-season return to Brooklyn didn't change his trajectory either, as he once again struggled to find a rhythm on offense. Overall, Russell made 58 regular-season appearances with averages of 12.6 points, 5.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.9 three-pointers, placing him outside the top-150 in standard leagues on a per-game basis. In free agency, the Mavericks aggressively pursued Russell and signed him to a two-year, $13 million deal. Russell is projected to start on Opening Night, filling the void until the Mavericks get Kyrie Irving (knee) back at some point after the new year. Even while Irving is sidelined, it's fair to wonder how much usage Russell will be allotted next to the likes of Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson and P.J. Washington. For that reason, Russell projects as mostly a streaming option or short-term rental at the beginning of the season.