D’Angelo Russell is getting 100% real on potential Cooper Flagg backup
Wednesday night, The Dallas Mavericks will take the floor at home against the San Antonio Spurs for their first game of the 2025-26 NBA season. While head coach Jason Kidd has yet to reveal his starting lineup for the game, many are assuming the player is out for the season D’Angelo Russell will come off the bench, especially after the rookies Cooper Flagg recently started as a point guard in a preseason game.
Recently, Russell became 100% honest on his thinking about potentially coming off the bench in Dallas.
“Just be a basketball player, whenever I get in the game. It’s all about winning and finishing the game. However, I can help finish the game and always make a difference in the win, that’s my goal,” Russell said, per ESPN’s Tim McMahon on X, formerly Twitter.
Russell signed with the Mavericks this offseason after starting last season with the Los Angeles Lakers and finishing with the Brooklyn Nets in a trade.
Russell figures to lean on him for a diet version of the perimeter scoring that Kyrie Irving will eventually provide the team when he returns from injury at some point this season.
Interesting Mavericks team
Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, all eyes will be on No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, who would be viewed as the best draft prospect in recent NBA history if it weren’t for Victor Wembanyama, who will take the floor against in his first game.
Flagg showed some impressive playmaking instincts during his preseason stint with the Mavericks, which apparently made Kidd comfortable enough to start him at the point guard position. Flagg is in the unusual position of being the number one overall pick and still having a chance to play with future Hall of Famers like Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson.
Flagg’s strong first game would continue to help cushion the blow suffered in the Luka Doncic trade.
The Mavericks and Spurs are scheduled to tip off on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET from Dallas.
2025-10-22 17:04:00
