Within the first hour of free agency Monday, the Dallas Mavericks agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with veteran guard D’Angelo Russell, people familiar with the process confirmed to The Dallas Morning News.
The Mavericks needed an experienced playmaker and facilitator to help fill the void left by the absence of star guard Kyrie Irving, who is expected to miss several months of the 2025-26 regular season while he recovers from surgery on his torn left ACL.
Russell is a former All-Star point guard who is coming off his 10th NBA season and second stint with the Brooklyn Nets. He played in 58 games for the Nets and Los Angeles Lakers last season and averaged 12.6 points and 5.1 assists. He made $16.3 million last season.
The 6-3 guard is an affordable option to help the Mavericks compensate offensively without Irving. While his scoring production last season marked a career-low, he’s averaged 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.1 steals on 36% shooting from 3 throughout his career.
Mavericks
The Mavericks, who operate in the first apron tax level, used their non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $5.6 million to sign Russell. The financial flexibility was possible because Irving will make $36.5 million in the first year of his new three-year contract.
Teams were permitted to begin negotiating with all free agents at 5 p.m., six hours prior to the start of the NBA’s moratorium period. The moratorium period ends at noon on Sunday, when contracts are allowed to be signed.
Related:Kyrie Irving declines player option with Mavericks, agrees to new three-year contract
Russell is a creative ballhandler who can attract double teams thanks to his scoring ability. He’s also efficient in the pick-and-roll, which will benefit the Mavericks and their trio of rim-running big men.
Russell, the originator of the “ice in my veins” celebration, reunites with former Lakers teammates Anthony Davis and Max Christie, who have carried on the tradition of pointing to their veins after knocking down 3-pointers.
Dallas’ point guard room is comprised of Irving, Russell, Jaden Hardy and Brandon Williams.
The Mavericks have two unrestricted free agents of their own in Spencer Dinwiddie and Dante Exum. Russell’s signing means the Mavericks have filled all 15 of their standard roster spots — counting No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and Dwight Powell’s exercised player option — and cannot add another player unless they orchestrate a trade.
The team is expected to explore the trade market for Olivier-Maxence Prosper to free up a roster spot with the hope of re-signing Exum, a person familiar with the team’s thinking confirmed.
Exum was hindered by injury last season and appeared in just 20 games. It’s a small sample size, but he averaged a career-high 8.7 points and 43.4% shooting from behind the 3-point line.
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison wanted to find a player who could help the team get organized on offense while Irving is unavailable.
“You can’t replace Kyrie,” Harrison said after the NBA draft. “But our goal will be to get a guy that helps bridge the gap while he’s out.”
It appears that Russell is that guy.
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