New challenge for D’Angelo Russell: replacing Kyrie Irving in Dallas

The Dallas Mavericks have found their starting point guard for the beginning of next season. D’Angelo Russell has agreed to a two-year, $13 million contract with the Texas franchise, according to ESPN sources reported by Shams Charania. The deal was negotiated between Mavericks executives and CAA agents Austin Brown, Aaron Mintz, and Antonio Russell.

Breaking: Free agent guard D’Angelo Russell has agreed on a two-year, $13 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, sources tell ESPN. Mavericks officials and CAA Co-Heads of Basketball Austin Brown/Aaron Mintz and Antonio Russell reached the new contract after free agency began. pic.twitter.com/eljDwhDSUu

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025

A veteran looking for a comeback

This signing comes at a particular time for Dallas. Kyrie Irving, the team’s star, will be out for much of next season due to a torn ACL. Russell arrives as an experienced solution to handle the primary point guard position.

The 30-year-old is coming off an uneven season split between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. After being traded last December, Russell played 29 games with Brooklyn, starting 26, averaging 12.9 points and 5.6 assists per game.

Russell’s statistics this season reveal adaptation difficulties. While his offensive averages remained stable between Los Angeles (12.4 points, 4.7 assists) and Brooklyn (12.9 points, 5.6 assists), his shooting percentages dropped. Going from 41.5% from the field and 33.3% from three with the Lakers, he only shot 36.7% from the field and 29.7% from three with the Nets.

The Dallas Mavericks projected starting lineup for opening night next season:

PG – D’Angelo Russell
SG – Klay Thompson
SG – Cooper Flagg
PF – Anthony Davis
C – Dereck Lively II pic.twitter.com/p2RDLnsSEg

— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) June 30, 2025

Russell had expressed his desire to stay in Brooklyn beyond the 2024-2025 season back in March, before admitting: « I don’t think it’s under my control, to be honest. » The Nets ultimately chose to part ways with him as part of their rebuild.

Dallas is now the fifth franchise in Russell’s career, who was selected second overall in the 2015 draft. After finishing 10th in the Western Conference with a 39-43 record, the Mavericks hope that the veteran’s experience and the arrival of Cooper Flagg, selected first overall in the 2025 draft, will help them return to the playoffs next season.