D’Angelo Russell Linked To Milwaukee Bucks In Trade Rumors Amid Dallas Mavericks Falling Out
The Milwaukee Bucks have quietly explored secondary trade options as the deadline approaches, and one veteran guard has surfaced in those conversations.
According to HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto, D’Angelo Russell of the Dallas Mavericks is among the guards the Bucks have discussed as they evaluate cost-controlled upgrades and multi-team scenarios that could yield draft compensation.
“Should Milwaukee acquire Russell, the Bucks would likely look to acquire second-round draft capital while offering Dallas salary relief towards the luxury tax this season and clearing Dallas of Russell’s player option for next season,” Scotto wrote.
While much of the league’s focus remains on the Bucks’ direction around Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee has also been active in talks centered on adding playmaking and shot creation while staying mindful of the luxury tax.
D’Angelo Russell’s Shrinking Role With the Dallas Mavericks
Russell has appeared in 26 games this season, averaging 10.2 points and 4.0 assists in 19.0 minutes per game. However, the gaps in his game log tell the larger story. He has not played since Jan. 10, logging just 18 minutes in a loss at Chicago, and has routinely been listed as inactive or recorded DNP-CDs since late December.
Over his final five appearances, Russell averaged 5.6 points while playing fewer than 14 minutes per game, a reflection of his shrinking role as Dallas leaned more heavily into younger guards. His last stretch of consistent minutes came in mid-November, including a 28-point performance in a double-overtime loss to the Clippers, but those flashes were not sustained.
The reduced usage aligns with Dallas’ broader rotation priorities. Russell has started just three games all season and has seen his minutes trend downward as the year progressed, signaling a clear shift away from him as part of the team’s short-term plans.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd addressed Russell’s lack of minutes earlier this season, framing the decision as part of a broader organizational shift rather than a reflection of professionalism or preparation.
“We’re looking at going young with the group that we have,” Kidd said. “D-Lo has done everything. He’s a pro and so, understands he’s continuing to work on his game and when his name is called he’ll be ready.”
The explanation aligns with how Dallas has managed its rotation in recent weeks. Russell has started just three games all season, and his minutes have steadily declined as the Mavericks prioritize development and long-term evaluation over veteran usage.
Why a Trade Could Work for Both Sides
From Milwaukee’s perspective, the appeal is rooted in flexibility rather than on-court expectation. Russell’s contract includes a $5.97 million player option for the 2026–27 season, and any deal would be structured around salary relief for Dallas and draft compensation for the Bucks.
For the Mavericks, the timing fits a seller’s posture. Projected to miss the postseason again, Dallas has incentive to move veterans who no longer factor prominently into its future. Russell’s diminished role and looming player option make him one of the more movable contracts on the roster as the deadline nears.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, has explored ways to stabilize second-unit offense and reduce the playmaking burden when Antetokounmpo is off the floor. In that context, Russell represents a low-risk option if acquired strictly for flexibility and asset management rather than long-term production.
Whether Milwaukee ultimately acts on its interest remains uncertain. The Bucks continue to weigh patience against incremental upgrades, and any Russell deal would need to align with other moves already in motion.
Still, Russell’s name circulating in league discussions underscores how both teams are approaching the final days before Feb. 5 with different needs — but overlapping incentives — as the trade market tightens.
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