After officially drafting Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks have entered a new era. Luckily for them, they didn't have to go through a rebuild after trading their previous superstar, being gifted a generational prospect in Flagg.
Nevertheless, they still have GM Nico Harrison, who made the wildly unpopular trade that put them in this position. While getting Flagg will likely help him keep his job, he could soon make the first big mistake of the Flagg era.
The Mavericks already have 14 players under contract for next season, and with the injury to Kyrie Irving costing him most of next year, they will be in need of a starting point guard.
They have already been linked to future Hall of Famer Chris Paul. But according to NBA insider Marc Stein, they have zeroed in on Brooklyn Nets free agent guard D'Angelo Russell.
The Dallas Mavericks shouldn't sign D'Angelo Russell
The Mavericks have an unusual roster for a team that just selected first in the NBA Draft. That is due to them building their team around Luka Dončić, then abruptly trading him for Anthony Davis in an out-of-nowhere blockbuster.
With the remnants of a good team and the addition of Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks might be able to get themselves back to the playoffs next season by adding a starting point guard.
Russell has developed a reputation as being a talented, if chaotic, point guard. He's a good passer and a great shooter, but he has already played on five teams thus far in his career, and each team has seemed eager to get rid of him.
Chris Paul would be a far better signing than Russell
Signing him to a cheap, one-year deal, worth around the $5.6 million bi-annual exception, would be worth the risk in theory. Nevertheless, they shouldn't sign him.
Russell would seem like a reasonable option, but he has often struggled on good teams. He received criticism for his play when he was on the Minnesota Timberwolves and during his second stint with the Lakers.
Therefore, Paul might be the better option. After all, he accepted the role of mentor and played that role to perfection last season with the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavericks could have him start until January, when Irving is expected to return. Then, when Irving is ready to return, have CP3 come off the bench when he finally makes his season debut.
Paul may not be the same level of scorer that Russell is at this point in their careers, but Paul is still a terrific passer and a solid shooter. Pairing him with Davis and Flagg might help the Mavs' offense stay afloat. It may also help make Flagg's first half of his rookie season go far smoother.
Given the choice between the two, Paul is the more reliable option. He can still help lead an NBA offense and serve as a mentor to Flagg on and off the court.