The Dallas Mavericks are shoring up their roster and aiming to contend for an NBA championship in the 2025-26 campaign after missing the playoffs last season.
Looking to immediately improve their backcourt, the team moved quickly after free agency opened Monday night, signing D’Angelo Russell to a two-year, $13 million deal.
Russell took to X on Tuesday to reflect on his new chapter, expressing gratitude and acknowledging the hard work it took to reach this point.
“Lucky me. Luck is when opportunity meets preparation,” he wrote.
Lucky me. Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.
— D'Angelo Russell (@Dloading) July 1, 2025
The 29-year-old is expected to serve as the Mavericks’ starting point guard while Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL in his left knee, which he suffered in March. Russell should have plenty of opportunity with Dallas, as the team’s other options at the point currently consist of Brandon Williams and Jaden Hardy.
Russell will be tasked with generating offense for the star-studded team, which includes Irving, Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. With a strong core and improved depth pieces in place, the Mavericks are positioning themselves as one of the top threats to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder next season.
Russell has bounced around the league the past three seasons, playing for three teams during that span. He ended up in Brooklyn after being traded from the Lakers in December, appearing in 29 regular-season games for the Nets. During that span, he averaged 12.9 points, 5.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals across 24.7 minutes per game.