Latest news with #DAngeloRussell
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Dallas Mavericks Reveal Long-Term Goal for Overlooked Offseason Addition
Dallas Mavericks Reveal Long-Term Goal for Overlooked Offseason Addition originally appeared on Athlon Sports. For the Dallas Mavericks, this summer has been the Cooper Flagg show. His addition, via the NBA Draft Lottery, helped alleviate some of the pain felt when the team traded centerpiece Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a puzzling move. Adding Flagg was by far the most high-profile move that the team made this summer, but it was not the only addition. In order to replace Kyrie Irving, who will miss most or all of the season with a torn ACL, the Mavericks signed veteran point guard D'Angelo Russell, who has shared a locker room with both Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson. Russell is expected to be an above-average, although temporary, point guard. Once Irving returns, he will be relegated to the bench or traded, right? Maybe not! "We had to get a guy who could play in place of Kyrie while he's out,' a Dallas coach told Spotrac. But that guy also needed to play with Kyrie, too. We feel like DLo fits that perfectly. We also like that he can shift off the ball with Cooper handling the playmaking too." With Russell signed to a two-year deal worth $11.6 million, it stands to reason that he might be longer for Dallas than initially thought, and Irving has already proven that he can share the floor with another point guard. Can he and Russell be a poor man's version of Luka and Kyrie? Perhaps, although mission number one remains making life easy for Davis and Flagg. Follow Jonah Kubicek on Substack or Twitter for more NBA and WNBA articles and analysis. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
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Nets lose guard D'Angelo Russell to Mavericks in free agency deal
Free agency has begun in the NBA and the Brooklyn Nets saw their first loss of the period. After agreeing to deals to bring back Ziaire Williams and Day'Ron Sharpe, the Nets saw D'Angelo Russell walk out the door in free agency. Russell has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Dallas Mavericks for two year and $13 million. The Nets acquired Russell from the Los Angeles Lakers during the season for his second tour of duty in Brooklyn. He averaged 12.9 points, 5.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 36.7% from the floor and 29.7% from deep in 29 games with 26 starts after the trade. Russell will now look to handle the point guard duties for the Mavericks while Kyrie Irving continues to recover from a torn ACL in his left knee. He will join a talented Dallas team led by Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, PJ Washington, and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets lose guard D'Angelo Russell to Mavericks in free agency deal
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
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Free Agent D'Angelo Russell Reunites with Former Teammates in Mavericks Key Signing
Free Agent D'Angelo Russell Reunites with Former Teammates in Mavericks Key Signing originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Just a few hours into the NBA free agency window, the Dallas Mavericks followed their predicted game plan by targeting a point guard to fill in the starting lineup during Kyrie Irving's ACL recovery for the first few months of the season. Advertisement Sources confirm that Dallas has agreed to terms with Brooklyn Nets free-agent point guard D'Angelo Russell on a two-year, $13 million contract that utilizes the taxpayer mid-level exception unlocked after Irving and Daniel Gafford's re-signings. For Russell, it's a reunion of sorts getting to play with Anthony Davis and Max Christie in Dallas after the trio started last season together on the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell was traded to Brooklyn midseason for former Maverick Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton and multiple draft picks. Davis and Christie were infamously a part of the controversial trade that sent franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić to Hollywood and knocked the Mavericks' season off kilter for good. Heading into next season, however, Dallas could be as dangerous as ever with Russell being the latest enhancement to a roster loaded with firepower. Advertisement Investigating the Russell/Davis/Christie trio a bit deeper, you'll find that the Lakers had an impressive net rating of +9.4 overall, with an offensive rating of 115.7 and defensive rating of 106.3 when those three were on the floor together for the Lakers last season. Their familiarity on both ends of the court could be vital in the Mavs getting off to an efficient start to the season without their leading scorer Irving in the lineup. Russell's passing and scoring ability will be a major plus in a versatile starting lineup projected to include sharpshooter Klay Thompson, No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg, two-way star Davis and athletic youngster Dereck Lively II. Last season Russell finished the year averaging 12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. He saw a decline in his shooting efficiency, but in his last full season with one team (2023-24 with Lakers) he shot 45.6 percent from the field and a sturdy 41.5 percent from three-point range - the best mark of his 10-year career. Advertisement Those triples came with volume, too. Russell made the 10th most three-pointers in the NBA in 2023-24 with 226, another massive career-high. Dallas hopes starting fresh with a new team, familiar teammates and high work load right from the jump can replicate that productivity from Russell. That optimism then hopes to be realized in the win column before the Mavs become even more dangerous down the line. Related: Dallas Mavericks Pair Cooper Flagg With All-Star Point Guard to Kick Off NBA Free Agency Related: LeBron Trade To Cooper Flagg's Mavs Shockingly Tops Oddsmakers' Predictions This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
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Mavericks Major Free Agent Signing Means Firepower Amid Next Move
Mavericks Major Free Agent Signing Means Firepower Amid Next Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On paper, the Dallas Mavericks are looking like a legitimate threat heading into the upcoming NBA season. While Luka Doncic is officially gone, whether fans are ready to admit it or not, this Mavericks roster is still stacked with firepower. Advertisement Dallas will roll out a starting five featuring Kyrie Irving at point guard, Klay Thompson at shooting guard, Cooper Flagg at small forward, Anthony Davis at power forward and Dereck Lively II holding down the paint at center. Add in key role players like P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford coming off the bench, and this team is built to compete right now. However, with Irving expected to miss the start of the season as he continues rehabbing from a torn ACL in his left knee, a pressing question looms: Who fills the starting point guard role until he returns? Today, the Mavericks answered that question in a big way. Dallas reportedly agreed to sign former All-Star guard D'Angelo Russell to a two-year, $13 million deal. This move is more than just a short-term fix. Russell brings proven scoring, dynamic playmaking and the ability to seamlessly run an offense. While he's expected to hold down the fort during Irving's absence, his impact likely won't stop there. Russell's ability to swing between point guard and shooting guard provides crucial depth, especially with Thompson no longer in his prime and expected to manage his minutes throughout the season. Advertisement Now, what does this mean for Spencer Dinwiddie?: Dinwiddie was rumored to be the one to hold it down until Irving returns, but with this new signing, it's unrealistic that he would make a return. The signing of Russell comes with major salary cap implications, and unfortunately, it likely spells the end of Dinwiddie's second stint in Dallas. With rookie sensation Cooper Flagg's monster $62.7 million deal and now Russell's contract on the books, the Mavericks are rapidly approaching the dreaded second apron tax threshold. Staying under that threshold is crucial for maintaining flexibility, meaning there's virtually no room left to negotiate a deal with Dinwiddie. As much as Dinwiddie has been a valued veteran presence and key contributor, the math just doesn't work out. Not to mention other point guard Brandon Williams is still under contract with the team as well. Advertisement Now hitting unrestricted free agency, Dinwiddie instantly becomes a huge target on the market. A proven scorer, steady playmaker, and experienced postseason contributor, Dinwiddie will draw interest from a number of contenders looking to bolster their backcourt depth. Whether it's a team chasing a title or a younger squad needing leadership, Dinwiddie's phone is about to start ringing… just as the Mavs might be back to contending. Related: Kyrie Irving Commits to Mavs With $119 Million Deal on Eve of "Flagg Day" This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mavericks rumors: How Kyrie Irving helps make Dallas a ‘leading suitor' for D'Angelo Russell
Mar 31, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard D'Angelo Russell (1) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The post Mavericks rumors: How Kyrie Irving helps make Dallas a 'leading suitor' for D'Angelo Russell appeared first on ClutchPoints. Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving made headlines on Tuesday, declining his player option and signing a three-year, $119 million extension. The deal not only locks in the Mavericks' star long-term, but it could also pave the way for the team to make a run at free agent point guard D'Angelo Russell, according to Marc Stein. Advertisement Irving's new contract has a lower 2025-26 cap hit than his $43 million player option, giving Dallas access to the $5.7 million taxpayer mid-level exception. With their lead ball-handler sidelined indefinitely by an ACL tear, the Mavericks will search for another viable option in free agency. Could Russell be that player? Mavericks targeting D'Angelo Russell after Kyrie Irving extension? Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The veteran floor general's market isn't expected to be expansive. Russell struggled after the Los Angeles Lakers traded him to the Brooklyn Nets at the deadline as part of a package for Dorian Finney-Smith. He averaged 12.9 points and 5.6 assists on 37/30/83 shooting splits over 29 appearances following the deal. Advertisement The former Nets All-Star voiced his desire to return to Brooklyn numerous times throughout the second half of the season. 'I think just what the future holds with this group [is why I want to be back],' he told ClutchPoints. 'Obviously, what Jordi [Fernandez] and Sean [Marks] are creating, I'm familiar with it. Being somewhere familiar is something I'm definitely prioritizing.' While that sentiment may be genuine, Brooklyn can also offer Russell more money than any other team in free agency. The Nets are the NBA's only team with cap space. However, the rebuilding squad is expected to utilize its flexibility for salary dumps while prioritizing playing time for developmental prospects next season. Opposing teams seeking to sign Russell will be limited to the non-taxpayer mid-level ($14.1 million) or the taxpayer mid-level exception ($5.7 million). His market appears likely to fall in the range of the latter. While it would represent a significant pay cut, the Mavericks should be an enticing landing spot for the 10-year veteran. Advertisement With Irving sidelined, Dallas could offer Russell a featured role alongside Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg. Should he produce at a high level, he could land a bigger deal next summer when a large portion of the league will have cap space. Related: Cooper Flagg has 1 word to describe his game ahead of NBA Draft Related: Cooper Flagg gets special honor in Maine before going No. 1 to Mavericks
