Anonymous Dallas Mavericks Coach Reveals Why Team Signed D’Angelo Russell

NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac spoke to an anonymous Dallas Mavericks coach about the D’Angelo Russell signing.

The Mavericks signed Russell to a two-year, $11.6 million deal this offseason in free agency. The lefty is expected to start at point guard next season while Kyrie Irving rehabs his left ACL injury.

Russell played with Anthony Davis and Max Christie on the Los Angeles Lakers.

“We had to get a guy who could play in place of Kyrie while he’s out. 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 (Flagg) handling the playmaking too,” the Mavs coach said.

D’Angelo Russell has played for the Lakers (twice), Brooklyn Nets (twice), Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. He was the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. The Ohio State product has career averages of 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 42.7% from the field, 36.5% from beyond the arc and 79.6% from the free-throw line.

In 58 games for the Lakers and Nets last season, Russell averaged 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists. The 29-year-old shot 39.0% overall, 31.4% from 3 and 83.4% from the foul line.

Russell will wear No. 5 with the Mavericks, who missed the playoffs last season after making the NBA Finals in 2024. Dallas general manager Nico Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Davis and Christie in February.

“Whenever you trade a truly great player, it’s going to hurt. We love AD and we feel like we’re in a good position to have a great team moving forward. With better health this year, we’ll be near the top of the conference going into the playoffs. That’s the goal,” a Mavericks front office executive told Smith.