The Dallas Mavericks are bringing Cooper Flagg into the mix this season, but he’s not the only new recruit who will help the team.
D’Angelo Russell is also stepping into a Mavericks jersey in 2025-26, and Flagg spoke about everything he provides for the team.
“He’s been an incredible influence so far of just setting the tone at a really high level. Ever since he’s come in and been around, he’s just been setting examples and just being a real role model. Just playing really hard and just playing really smart as well. He sees the game at a different level, so I think I can just learn a lot from him in the way he’s able to pick apart defenses and just use his vision to our advantage,” Flagg said of Russell.
Cooper Flagg on playing alongside D’Angelo Russell and what he’s learned from him:
“He’s been an incredible influence so far of just setting the tone at a really high level. Ever since he’s come in and been around, he’s just been setting examples and just being a real role… pic.twitter.com/rpKAkTJyJP
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) October 7, 2025
Russell is coming to a Mavericks team that really needs his help.
They are currently without Kyrie Irving, and there is no timetable for his return from injury.
Russell has spent a decade in the NBA and has learned a lot during that time.
He has played for multiple teams and has found strong chemistry and relationships with multiple big-name stars during that time.
Beyond Flagg, the Mavericks are filled with a lot of younger players who are looking for a role model.
Russell has shown that he can be someone who leads and inspires and guides – the perfect kind of role model.
When he was signed, a lot of people viewed Russell as an NBA rental, someone who would only be important until Irving came back.
But this comment from Flagg shows that he’s having a huge impact on the team already, which means he could be there to stay for a while.
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