Dallas Mavericks gamble on former All-Star as long-term Kyrie Irving replacement

The Dallas Mavericks have signed D’Angelo Russell to help fill the void left by Kyrie Irving’s long-term injury—and to guide a new-look roster featuring both familiar faces and rising stars.

When NBA free agency opened Monday, the Mavericks had a clear priority: find a starting-caliber point guard to steady the ship in Irving’s absence.

How long will Kyrie Irving be out for?

With the All-Star expected to miss most—if not all—of the upcoming season as he recovers from a torn ACL in his left knee, Dallas needed someone with experience, poise under pressure, and enough playmaking spark to keep the team’s revamped rotation balanced.

Gone are the days when Luka Dončić shouldered the entire playmaking load. Under head coach Jason Kidd, the Mavericks have restructured their approach, and that includes diversifying the backcourt.

While several names were in play, the team was limited financially, working with just the mid-level exception. As competition tightened across the league, Dallas zeroed in on a savvy, if sometimes streaky, veteran.

D’Angelo Russell’s Mavericks contract: salary and length

NBA insider Marc Stein reported hours before free agency officially began that D’Angelo Russell was close to finalizing a deal with the Mavericks. That news became official shortly after the market opened. Russell, 29, signed a two-year, $13 million contract to join his fifth NBA team. After finishing last season with the Nets—his second stint with the franchise—Russell became an unrestricted free agent. He’s also had stops in Los Angeles (twice), Golden State, and Minnesota.

Though last season was statistically his least productive (12.6 points per game on 39% shooting), Dallas GM Nico Harrison believes in Russell’s ability to bounce back.

Russell’s expected role with the Mavs

The Mavericks will lean on him for multiple roles. One of the most intriguing? Reconnecting with former Lakers teammate Anthony Davis, who’s now the centerpiece of Dallas’ ambitious new project. That chemistry could be crucial as the Mavericks aim to build cohesion quickly.

But perhaps Russell’s most important assignment is to help integrate rookie sensation Cooper Flagg—the No. 1 overall pick and the most hyped American prospect in years. Kidd has made it clear: Flagg will start, and so will Davis and Russell. The head coach even joked during Flagg’s introductory press conference that he plans to give the rookie occasional ball-handling duties—similar to how he developed Giannis Antetokounmpo during his early coaching days in Milwaukee.

With Russell running point, Klay Thompson likely at shooting guard, Flagg at the three, Davis at the four, and Dereck Lively anchoring the middle, Dallas suddenly boasts one of the most dynamic starting fives in the West. Add proven contributors like Spencer Dinwiddie, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, and P.J. Washington off the bench, and there’s reason to believe last season’s 10th-place finish (39–43) was just a blip.

With a mix of proven stars and next-gen talent, the Mavericks may finally be ready to turn the page—and write a new chapter in the Western Conference playoff picture.

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