Sources: D’Angelo Russell Agrees to Sign with Dallas Mavericks to Bolster Backcourt
The Dallas Mavericks are addressing their backcourt needs ahead of the 2025–26 season. D’Angelo Russell has agreed to a two-year deal worth nearly $11.7 million, league sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. The contract includes a final-year player option.
Russell, 29, will take on a key role to open the season with Kyrie Irving continuing his recovery from a torn ACL. The move positions Russell as a stopgap option who could later transition into a bench role once Irving returns to the lineup.
The former All-Star averaged 12.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds across 58 games last season while splitting time between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. Though he struggled with efficiency—shooting just 39.0% from the field and 31.4% from deep—he enters Dallas as a potential bounce-back candidate in a more structured system.
During Russell’s All-Star season in 2018–19 with Brooklyn, current Mavericks assistant general manager Matt Riccardi was a member of the Nets front office.
Dallas was widely expected to pursue a veteran point guard using the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception, and multiple agents had identified the Mavericks as one of the most appealing landing spots for guards seeking minutes and a defined role on a competitive roster.
The move crowds Dallas’ guard rotation for the start of the season, even with Danté Exum and Spencer Dinwiddie remaining without a deal in place for the upcoming season. Sources tell DallasHoopsJournal.com that the Mavericks are interested in re-signing Exum, but they would need to clear a roster spot.
Brandon Williams, whose standard deal for 2025–26 includes guarantee thresholds totaling just under $2.3 million, remains on the roster as a depth option. His salary consists of a $200,000 guarantee on July 7, an $850,000 guarantee if he is on the roster opening night, and becomes fully guaranteed on January 10. He finished last season averaging 8.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 14.8 minutes per game.
Dallas used undrafted free agency to land Ryan Nembhard on a two-way contract. He is coming off a season with Gonzaga, averaging 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 9.8 assists (led the nation), while shooting 44.6% overall, 40.4% from beyond the arc, and 77.0% on free throws.
Russell is expected to join a roster that includes Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, and Klay Thompson as Dallas prepares for another playoff push.
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