Image Credit: © Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“I Feel Stronger and Wiser”- Dallas Mavericks Guard D’Angelo Russell Feels He’s Still in Prime of his Career

The Mavericks signed Russell this off season on a two-year, $13 million contract.

Image Credit: © Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dallas Mavericks guard D’Angelo Russell hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Set to enter the 11th season of his NBA career, the 29-year-old believes that he is still in his prime. Notably, the Mavericks signed Russell this off season on a two-year, $13 million contract. He is expected to immediately feature in the starting role with the Mavericks as they will be without Kyrie Irving.

Russell is a reliable guard who can lead the backcourt. Though his performance has declined over the years and the only time he made the All-Star was in 2019, Russell still believes that he is in his prime. Speaking on The Backyard Podcast, the Mavs star said that he doesn’t feel old but stronger.

“My preparation is completely different,” Russell said. “I still feel like I’m in my prime. Like, I don’t feel old. I feel stronger. I feel wiser. I feel more careful. And that’s it.” Russell is just 29 years old, and is at the time where his career and game should be refined. He carries ten years of experience and must focus on bringing out the best of him moving forward.

Angelo Russell’s Fall: From Being Draft Star to On-Court Slump

Russell, an Ohio alum, was drafted second overall in 2015 by the Los Angeles Lakers. While he must have joined the Gold and Purple brigade with hopes, his trade to the Brooklyn Nets two years later put an end to it. Since then, he has been on the move. During his stint with the Brooklyn Nets, D-Lo earned his first and the only time in career. He also led the Nets to a remarkable finish in the standings before moving again.

Russell recorded the best tenure of his career with the Golden State Warriors, where he played 33 games and averaged 23.6 points per game. After that, his career began to decline and even his moves to the Timberwolves and the Lakers couldn’t revoke it. In the 2024-25 season, he played 29 games for the Lakers before moving to the Nets again for an average of 12.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.

However, now that he has joined forces with the Mavericks, the 2023 NBA Champion is expected to make full use of the opportunity. He stands a great chance in proving himself while Irving recovers from his injury. Not only this, but he can also utilize the time to build strong on-court chemistry with Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson.

D’Angelo Russell

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.