The Dallas Mavericks were always going to be in the market for a point guard this summer, and they look set to land one fairly quickly. NBA insider Jake Fischer reports the Mavericks are expected to sign D’Angelo Russell to a two-year deal.
“A two-year deal from Dallas approaching the $12 million range is widely expected for D’Angelo Russell … largely because the whole league knows that the Mavericks can only offer the former All-Star guard a two-year pact that starts at the $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception.”
Russell can be quite a frustrating player due to his inconsistent play, but he is a steal at a contract worth just $6 million per year. The 29-year-old averaged 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game for the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets in 2024-25.
The Mavericks need a stopgap at the point guard spot in their starting lineup as Kyrie Irving is recovering from a torn ACL. There is optimism that Irving will return in January 2026, and while Russell isn’t the kind of player who fits general manager Nico Harrison’s “defense wins championships” mantra, he is a solid option to have.
Russell also has some experience as a reserve now and should do a good enough job off the bench as well when Irving gets healthy. The Mavericks are also hoping they’ll have Dante Exum as a reserve guard next to Russell.
“Word is that the Mavericks, though, have not abandoned hope of creating roster room for re-signing Dante Exum even if they seal their anticipated deal with the Brooklyn free agent.
“Russell would be the Mavericks’ 15th and final standard contract once he comes to terms, but the Mavericks are expected to explore the trade market for 2023 first-round pick Olivier-Maxence Prosper in search of a team willing to absorb his contract and potentially open a spot to bring back Exum for additional backcourt depth.”
Exum averaged 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game for the Mavericks in 2024-25. He only played in 20 games due to injuries, but the team still wants him back. The Mavericks might face some competition for Exum’s services, as the Los Angeles Lakers are also reportedly interested in him.
They will first have to offload Olivier-Maxence Prosper before looking into signing Exum, though. Prosper was the 24th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and he has certainly not gone down as one of the biggest steals in it.
Prosper averaged 3.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.1 blocks per game for the Mavericks in 2024-25. With Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, and Cooper Flagg all being capable of slotting into that power forward spot, they can afford to part ways with the 22-year-old.
