Former All-Star Signs with the Dallas Mavericks
During the 2023 offseason, D’Angelo Russell re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year deal that included a player option for the 2024-25 season. Expectations were high as the Lakers looked to make another deep postseason run behind their core trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell. Entering his first full season back with the Lakers, Russell was expected to bring scoring, shot creation, and floor spacing to a starting backcourt that lacked consistency during the previous playoff stretch.
Midway through the season, however, the Lakers shook up their backcourt rotation. Los Angeles traded Russell back to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal focused on long-term flexibility and retooling their roster depth. The move brought Russell’s career full circle—he was initially drafted second overall by the Lakers in the 2015 NBA Draft before being traded to Brooklyn in 2017. In his first stint with the Nets, Russell earned All-Star honors during the 2018-19 season and helped lead a young team to the playoffs.
This time, Russell returned to a rebuilding Nets squad needing veteran stability. With Brooklyn, the 28-year-old guard took on a leadership role, helping guide a youthful roster through the remainder of the season. He played in 58 games between the Lakers and Nets, averaging 12.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. His efficiency dipped a bit; he shot 39.0% from the field and just 31.4% from three, but he still had several standout performances, including two 28-point outings that reminded fans of his scoring upside.
After the Nets missed the postseason, Russell declined his player option and became an unrestricted free agent. Today, it was just reported he signed with the Dallas Mavericks on a two-year, $13 million deal. Now entering his 10th NBA season, Russell brings a proven track record as a scorer and playmaker. Whether leading a second unit or starting at point guard, the Mavericks will count on his experience, leadership, and offensive versatility in the upcoming campaign. It’ll be interesting to see how the former All-Star fits into his new environment and what role he carves out with the Mavericks.
