D’Angelo Russell Goes In-Depth On Why He’s Most Excited To Play With Klay Thompson On Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks signed D’Angelo 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. The Ohio State product was teammates with Klay Thompson on the Golden State Warriors in 2019-20, but the two guards didn’t share the court since Thompson missed the entire season recovering from his ACL tear.

On the latest episode of The Backyard Podcast, Russell went in-depth on why he’s most excited to play with Thompson on the Mavericks. The two NBA All-Stars played in an open gym game together this offseason.

“We didn’t get to play with each other in Golden State,” Russell said. “He knows. I played against him. He knows who I am. I know what you’re gonna do for my game, but for you to know what I’m gonna do for your game, bro we’re locked. Like what? And we have plays where we’re on the court playing with each other and I’m thinking ahead of him. And he’s like my bad. And I’m like yeah, I see it bro.

“And now it’s like I can’t wait to play with him. Like I’m high-level bro. Like I see when you’re open. You don’t even know you’re open. Like be ready for me bro. Trust me. For all the 2Kers out there, you’re my — when I hold R1 and press circle and I don’t know where circle is — you’re my shooter.”

The Mavericks are expected to start Russell, Thompson, Cooper Flagg, Davis and Daniel Gafford to begin the 2025-26 season. Once Irving is cleared to play, he will replace Russell in Jason Kidd’s starting lineup.

Dallas missed the 2025 playoffs after making the NBA Finals in 2024. General manager Nico Harrison, of course, shockingly traded Luka Dončić to the Lakers for Davis and Christie.

Russell enters the 2025-26 season with career averages of 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists. He has played for the Lakers (twice), Brooklyn Nets (twice), Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Meanwhile, Thompson has career averages of 19.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists with the Warriors and Mavericks. He’s one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.