D’Angelo Russell has taken a subtle shot at the Dallas Mavericks, as a viral social media post highlighted what many viewed as an underappreciated stretch of his 2025-26 season.
The veteran guard reacted to a post praising his stint in Dallas by writing, “Birds can’t fly in a cage.”
The short message got the attention of NBA fans, who thought that Russell was suggesting he was held back during his brief stint with the Mavericks. The original post laid out some impressive stats from Russell’s time in Dallas despite his limited role.
According to the post, Russell played 26 games but still set the franchise’s single-season record for the most 20-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist games off the bench. He also tied the franchise record for the most such performances overall, finishing with four.
The post also noted that Russell averaged a career-low 19 minutes per game. But in the six games where he played at least 25 minutes, he averaged 21.7 points, five assists and five rebounds, while posting a remarkable plus-minus of plus-65 and shooting 55% on two-point attempts.
It also highlighted that Russell was the only player in the NBA last season to average at least 10 points and four assists in 19 minutes or fewer. He was also just the second player in league history to achieve that feat.
And it seems like Russell’s response only added fuel to that discussion. Russell definitely believes he could have produced much more if he had been given a larger role.
Looking strictly at his season averages, the numbers don’t jump off the page. In 26 games, Russell averaged 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 40.5% from the field and 29.5% from three-point range. He started only three games, spending most of the season coming off the bench. But those numbers also reflect the fact that he averaged a career-low 19 minutes per game, the fewest of his NBA career.
The Mavericks ultimately included Russell in the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade that sent him to the Washington Wizards. He never actually played a game for the Wizards, as he stayed away from the team, hoping to secure a buyout before being moved again. But earlier this month, Russell eventually landed with the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a massive six-team, 11-player trade.
That gives him another chance to revive his career. After that statement, Russell also made another confident post on social media.
“No matter where you send me, I’m still dangerous.”
That latest comment seems to reinforce that mentality. Russell believes that circumstances, not his talent, have prevented him from playing his best basketball over the last two seasons. But it’s definitely up for debate whether that belief is justified.
He showed flashes during his time with the Mavericks, suggesting he might still have some high-level basketball left in him, especially on the offensive end. At the same time, the Mavericks had their reasons for limiting his role, including major defensive concerns and the need to balance a stacked backcourt rotation.
Now the focus shifts to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies enter the 2026-27 season looking to establish a new identity, and Russell could have an opportunity to carve out a much larger role than he had in Dallas. He could also seek a buyout and hope for another chance with a contender.
But if he decides to stay and earn consistent starter-level minutes, he might finally have the chance to prove whether the Mavericks kept him in a cage or whether limiting his role was actually the right move.
Either way, Russell’s social media activity makes one thing clear. He definitely doesn’t lack confidence in himself, and he wants to let the NBA world know that he still has more to give than what the Mavericks allowed him to show last season.
