The Dallas Mavericks found themselves in a challenging position during the early stages of the offseason. They’ll likely continue to be in this position due to the uncertainty surrounding their point guard situation, particularly with Kyrie Irving out.
Ultimately, the Mavericks had to do what they did and signed D'Angelo Russell to a deal. Russell, one of the more polarizing players in the NBA, has an $11.6 million deal over two seasons.
There could be a scenario where this deal makes sense for the Mavericks and works out in their favor, or it could backfire, and everyone will say they knew Russell wasn't the player they signed to that contract.
YahooSports thinks it'll be the latter, noting that Russell was one of the worst free agency contracts of the summer, adding that he doesn't deserve more than the veteran minimum.
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“I cannot in good conscience tell you that anything more than a veteran's minimum contract is good value for D'Angelo Russell. Granted, he is a one-time All-Star who averaged 18 points for the Lakers two years ago, but tell me what team he has made better since he made that All-Star roster for the 42-win Brooklyn Nets in 2018-19. He has proven to be a high-usage, low-efficiency player over the course of his career.
“And the Mavs have made him their starting point guard in the absence of an injured Kyrie Irving,” they wrote.
If the Mavericks hadn't given Russell the deal they did, or offered him the veteran minimum, there likely would’ve been another team willing to pay him.
There was nothing they could’ve done because of Irving, and they likely understood that.