The Free Agency is around the corner and the Dallas Mavericks have their eyes on a familiar face. With limited financial wiggle room, the Mavs are reportedly seen as the frontrunner to land a former Lakers star, D’Angelo Russell in free agency.
But there’s a catch — The Mavs can only offer $5.7 million, and they’re not the only team in the mix. Even if the price tag doesn’t scream blockbuster, the interest around it certainly does. With the free agency just few days away, the market for Russell is already heating up.
Mavericks Emerge As Frontrunners To Land D’Angelo Russell in Free Agency
According to NBA insider Marc Stein on The Stein Line, the Mavericks are increasingly being viewed as the most likely landing spot for 29-year-old guard Russell, who is set to enter unrestricted free agency.
Stein wrote:
“Free agency doesn’t officially start until Monday at 6 PM ET, but league sources say that numerous teams are operating under the belief that the Sacramento Kings have the best chance to sign Dennis Schröder away from the Detroit Pistons, while the Dallas Mavericks are increasingly regarded as the favorites to sign D’Angelo Russell. Dallas is limited to offering Russell a first-year salary of $5.7 million via the taxpayer midlevel exception.”
That taxpayer midlevel exception (T-MLE) is a crucial detail here. It allows teams that are above the luxury tax to sign players for a set amount. For the Mavs, it’s about $5.7 million this offseason without needing cap space.
Dallas created just enough flexibility to use the T-MLE after Kyrie Irving declined his $43 million player option and agreed to a new three-year, $119 million deal with a lower first-year salary.
The Dallas Mavericks are a ‘leading suitor’ for D’Angelo Russell, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/1lodpZhAKo
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 25, 2025
The move makes basketball sense for the Mavs. With Irving expected to miss the beginning of the season due to an ACL injury, Brandon Williams currently stands as the only point guard on the roster.
Russell, a proven scoring-first guard, could step in immediately and give the Mavericks some much-needed offensive firepower and ball-handling.
Even after Irving returns, Russell could still serve a valuable role. He’s played both guard spots throughout his career, and his ability to play on or off the ball would allow him to coexist in lineups alongside Irving.
With top draft pick Cooper Flagg and newly acquired Anthony Davis reshaping the Mavs’ frontcourt, a veteran guard like Russell could bring needed stability to a team with championship ambitions.
Nets’ Draft Night Moves Could Push Russell Out
Russell had hoped to stick with the Brooklyn Nets after finishing the 2024–25 season there. He spoke openly about wanting to return to Brooklyn.
“I want to be wherever I’m at, I’m here,” said Russell. “I love these guys. I appreciate this, and I would love to be back,” Russell said back in March, as per Sports Illustrated.
But after the Nets drafted four guards, Egor Demin, Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, and Ben Saraf, their future plans at the position seem clear.
That draft haul could close the door on Russell’s return to the Nets and open it wider for the Mavericks, even if the offer from Dallas isn’t particularly lucrative. The big question now is, will Russell take less money for a shot at a winning situation?
At 29, he’s still productive enough with his 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game in 2024-25 to command more elsewhere. But the opportunity to step in right away, possibly start, and join a team loaded with elite talent could be appealing.
