If you’ve been following the NBA lately, you know the vibe around D’Angelo Russell has changed. A lot. It wasn't that long ago he was signing max deals and being touted as the savior of franchises. Now? We’re looking at a guy who just signed a "prove it" deal with the Dallas Mavericks that looks nothing like his old paperwork.
The D'Angelo Russell contract situation is basically a masterclass in how quickly the "middle class" of the NBA is shrinking.
Honestly, looking at the numbers from his latest move in July 2025, it’s a bit of a shocker. He went from an $18.7 million player option with the Lakers to a two-year deal in Dallas worth roughly **$11.65 million** in total. That’s not just a pay cut. That’s a total market correction.
The Dallas Pivot: Why the Numbers Plummeted
People keep asking why he’d take such a massive hit. It’s simple. The market for "shaky-defense, high-volume" guards is bone dry. After a rough 2024-25 season where he averaged career lows in minutes and points while splitting time between the Lakers and a brief return to Brooklyn, the league sent a message.
His new deal in Dallas is technically a two-year, $11,654,250 contract.
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Here is how that breaks down for the current 2025-26 season:
- Base Salary: $5,685,000
- Cap Hit: $5,685,000
- Year Two: $5,969,250 (Player Option)
Basically, he’s making about what a high-end bench player makes now. Nico Harrison and the Mavs front office used the taxpayer mid-level exception to snag him. It was a low-risk gamble for them, especially with Kyrie Irving dealing with that torn ACL recovery earlier in the season.
But for D-Lo? It’s a far cry from the four-year, $117 million max he once commanded.
What Really Happened with the Lakers?
The end of the D'Angelo Russell contract era in Los Angeles was messy. You remember the 2024 offseason. There was all this talk about whether he’d opt in or out. He eventually opted into that $18.69 million final year, but everyone knew it was just to make him a "movable" asset.
The Lakers were desperate for flexibility. They were flirting with the second apron—that scary new CBA line that basically kills your ability to make trades. By moving Russell to Brooklyn mid-season, they cleared the books.
It's kinda wild when you think about it. He was drafted 2nd overall by the Lakers, traded away, brought back to save their shooting, and then shipped off again because his contract became a hurdle rather than a help.
A Quick Reality Check on Career Earnings
Even with this recent "cheap" deal, don't feel too bad for the guy’s bank account.
- Rookie Deal: ~$23 million (Lakers/Nets)
- The Max: ~$117 million (Nets/Warriors/Wolves)
- Lakers Return: $36 million (2-year deal)
- Mavs Current: ~$11.6 million (2-year deal)
His total career earnings have already cleared the $189 million mark. He’s set for life, even if his per-game value has dipped.
The Current Breaking Point in Dallas
As of January 2026, things aren't exactly rosy in Big D. Russell has actually slipped out of Jason Kidd's rotation lately. We’re seeing more DNPs (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision) than highlight reels.
He’s averaging about 10.2 points and 4.0 assists in roughly 26 games this season. Those are "backup" numbers. Because he has that player option for the 2026-27 season worth nearly $6 million, he’s in a weird spot.
If he plays poorly, he’ll almost certainly opt in because no one else will pay him $6 million on the open market. If he plays well? He might opt out to try and find one last "real" contract. But looking at the tape, he looks disengaged. Scouts have even noted that he hasn't seen more than 20 minutes in a game since late November.
Trade Rumors: Could He Be Moved Again?
NBA insiders like Marc Stein and the folks at DallasHoopsJournal are already circling. Because his salary is so low ($5.6M), he’s actually very easy to trade. He’s essentially a "salary filler" now.
Teams like the Miami Heat or even a reunion with the Minnesota Timberwolves have been floated. Minnesota needs a backup who knows their system, and Miami is famous for fixing players who have "lost their way."
But let’s be real. Any team trading for the D'Angelo Russell contract right now isn't looking for a franchise cornerstone. They’re looking for a bench spark who might hit three 3-pointers in a quarter before getting subbed out for a defensive specialist.
The "Implied No-Trade" Myth
There was a lot of confusion back in 2023 about his "no-trade" clause. To be clear: he doesn't have one now.
He had a weird quirk in his Lakers deal where, because he re-signed on a one-year bird-rights deal (effectively), he could veto trades. He waived that right eventually to facilitate the move. In his current Dallas contract, he has zero protection. If Nico Harrison wants to send him to Detroit or Charlotte tomorrow, D-Lo is packing his bags.
Actionable Insights for the Future
If you’re a fan or a front-office hobbyist, here is what to watch for over the next few months regarding this contract:
- The February Trade Deadline: If Russell remains out of the rotation, expect him to be bundled with a second-round pick for a defensive wing. His $5.6M salary fits perfectly into most teams' trade exceptions.
- The Player Option Deadline: Keep an eye on June 2026. If he opts out, it’s a sign he’s confident. If he opts in, he’s likely stuck in "journeyman" territory for the rest of his career.
- The Rotation Factor: Until Kyrie is 100%, D-Lo has a window. If he can't beat out guys like Spencer Dinwiddie or younger guards for minutes now, his value will hit an all-time low by the summer.
The days of D'Angelo Russell being a "Max Contract" player are officially over. We're now in the "Value Contract" era, and for a team needing a low-cost flier, that might actually be the most dangerous version of him yet—if he can stay focused.