The Dallas Mavericks have been active in the market over the last 12 months, and the front office wasted no time padding their lineup when the free agency window officially opened. Dallas continued to add pieces to an already loaded roster with the organization agreeing to a two-year, $13 million deal with guard D’Angelo Russell on Monday.
Russell played 58 games with the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets last season, and while he struggled to hit the highs he achieved early in his career, the 29-year-old veteran remains a dangerous scorer who can have an immediate impact on an NBA squad.
With Kyrie Irving expected to be sidelined for the bulk of the 2025-26 campaign, expect Russell to see some significant minutes for a Dallas roster that is desperately in need of a playmaker.
Mavericks Agree to $13 Million Contract With Former Lakers and Nets Guard D’Angelo Russell
It has been a rollercoaster six months for the Mavericks and their fan base. After a contentious decision by general manager Nico Harrison to trade fan favorite Luka Doncic to the Lakers, the Mavericks encountered a series of injuries that saw them stumble late in the season.
Landing the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft (the Mavs selected highly rated Cooper Flagg out of Duke) set Dallas back on track, but a long-term injury to All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving will be cause for concern.
Free agent guard D’Angelo Russell has reached an agreement with the Dallas Mavericks on a two-year, $13 million deal, league sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/7i5ADaEpgP
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2025
Adding Russell should fortify a backcourt that includes Klay Thompson, Max Christie, Jaden Hardy, and Brandon Williams while Irving works his way back to health. There is no confirmed timeline on Irving’s return, but the nine-time All-Star could be back in the lineup as early as January, per reports.
Russell’s numbers dropped off last season, but the Kentucky native offers the Mavericks an experienced and effective scorer who is capable of controlling the game. Between the 2018-19 season and the 2023-24 season, Russell averaged at least 17 points and 5.8 assists per season.
He has featured in 629 regular-season games with four different franchises, and has 32 postseason games under his belt, which could be a factor for the Mavs late in the season.
The Mavs were able to lock Russell up to a two-year, $13 million deal, which seems like a bargain in this market. If Russell can live up to his potential, and the Mavs can stay healthy, Dallas could be a legitimate contender next season in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
