D’Angelo Russell signs 2-year, $12 million deal with Mavericks

D’Angelo Russell and the Dallas Mavericks agreed to a two-year deal worth $12 million on Monday evening, as first reported by ESPN and confirmed by DLLS. As DLLS’ Marc Stein had detailed in the past days, this was expected once NBA free agency officially opened. Russell’s deal, for which Dallas used the taxpayer mid-level exception, includes a player option in the second season.

Russell has been signed with the clear purpose of filling in for Kyrie Irving, who will miss at least half of next season as he recovers from his torn ACL suffered last March. If this partnership goes according to plan, this is really more akin to a one-year deal and Russell will be likeliest to opt out for a larger payday, presumably with another franchise, after this coming season. Russell wasn’t good last season, but his track record before last year and that he’s still just 29 years old makes it a lot more likely that was due to circumstance, not skill. In Dallas, there’s no question Russell will be made the starting point guard and given the chance to play starter’s minutes to begin the year.

For more about Russell’s fit for the Mavericks, check out our emergency podcast on the DLLS Mavericks show or, for DLLS Diehards, read more about the pros and cons of his fit in Dallas here.