The Dallas Mavericks signed D’Angelo Russell to a two-year, $13 million deal in the offseason.
D’Angelo Russell is expected to start with Kyrie Irving on the sidelines to begin the season.
Russell is a proven veteran who can help operate the Dallas Mavericks offense during Irving’s absence.
Russell spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets as the 29-year-old will now join a Mavericks team that has championship aspirations.
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesPatrick Beverley praises D’Angelo Russell, says him being on the basketball court ‘makes it easier for everyone around him’
Patrick Beverley and Russell played together on two NBA teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2021-2022 season and the Lakers during the first half of the 2022-2023 season.
Last season, the Lakers traded Russell and Maxwell Lewis to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.
Beverley reflected on the trade and praised Russell’s impact on the court.
“I think when D’Angelo Russell is on the basketball court he makes it easier for everyone around him.
“He puts his teams in positions to win basketball games. He impacts winning. That’s how I’m judging this.
“When you look at number two picks you look at come in and change the organization, this and that. But I tell you he’s a talented ____ing basketball player.
“He’s more talented than most point guards in the league, I can tell you that.”
Patrick Beverley defends D’Angelo Russell after Bill Simmons take
Bill Simmons recently took a shot at Russell on The Bill Simmons Podcast and implied that no team wants him.
“You know D-Lo is. He’s your buddy that comes to visit, and it’s really great when he is only there for one day and by day six you’re like, ah, I’m ready for him to leave. That’s D-Lo,” .D-Lo would be great for the one day, which in this case will be two months of his first season with the Mavericks, and they’re gonna, they’ll go through all the stages of D-Lo.”
Beverley didn’t like what Simmons said and defended his former teammate, claiming he elevates the teams that he plays for.
“The draft was weak as ___ too. You got to think about all the draft. Two people out the top six out the league already.
“I think he went to a Lakers team, played with Kobe, hit some big shots. He left there, went to a Brooklyn Nets team turned the___ up, went to Minnesota, playoff team, went back to the Lakers, went back to the Western Conference Finals, what else do you want from him. A Championship? OK cool.
“Bill Simmons get ___ out of here man, you ain’t ever suited up.”
Russell will look to silence the critics as he will have to step into a big role in Dallas and deliver.