The Dallas Mavericks have agreed to sign veteran guard D’Angelo Russell to a two-year contract worth $13 million to fill a void left by the injured Kyrie Irving.
Russell, 29, is coming off a season split between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, posting averages of 12.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds across 58 games.
A 2019 All-Star with Brooklyn and second overall selection in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Lakers, Russell has career averages of 17.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 629 total NBA games.
Although Russell struggles on defense, the Mavericks will feature multiple players on the roster who can help counter his weaknesses, with the roster featuring some of the most effective defensive players in the league in forward Anthony Davis and center Dereck Lively II.
Russell had previously expressed his desire to return to the Nets on a long-term extension, though Brooklyn has seemingly committed to a younger roster with multiple NBA Draft selections.
Dallas utilized the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception, a salary cap tool made available when Irving declined a $43 million player option and re-signed for $119 million, to secure Russell’s deal, which includes a player option in the second year.
The Mavericks seemingly prioritized the move amid efforts to bolster the backcourt while Irving recovers from a torn ACL, with the team needing another guard who can help create shots for both himself and teammates.
While Russell is not expected to participate in the Mavericks’ next portion of the offseason, the franchise will now begin preparations for the upcoming summer league that begins on July 10.
Rookie forward Cooper Flagg is expected to lead the Mavericks’ summer league roster as he prepares to begin his NBA career, with many believing he will become one of the best players in the league following a sensational season with the Duke Blue Devils.