After signing a two-year, $11.7 million contract with Dallas following the 2024-25 season, Russell is slated to start at point guard while Kyrie Irving recovers from an ACL injury. On the Wy Network podcast, Russell contrasted the Lakers’ loose organizational culture with the Nets’ structured approach. He praised the Nets for instilling professional habits—such as proper sleep, nutrition and recovery—that he said he lacked during his early years in Los Angeles. Drafted second overall by Los Angeles in 2015, Russell struggled in his first two seasons before breaking out in Brooklyn, where he earned his sole All-Star selection in 2019. His comments underscore the impact of franchise structure on player development as he embarks on a new chapter with the Mavericks.