Memphis Grizzlies Waive Former All-Star D’Angelo Russell

Memphis Grizzlies Waive D’Angelo Russell

The Memphis Grizzlies have waived veteran guard D’Angelo Russell, according to ESPN Insider Shams Charania.

Russell, who’s entering his 12^th season, was released by the Grizzlies despite never playing a single game for the franchise. Russell arrived as part of a six-team trade in the offseason in a deal that also landed the Grizzlies center Isaiah Stewart. 

Despite being a talented scorer and playmaker, Russell has bounced around the league over the past three seasons, including being a part of two separate trades in 2025-26 alone. After signing a two-year, $13 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks in 2025, he was traded to the Washington Wizards in 2026 in a three-team trade, where he never played a single game in preparation for a buyout. Although the buyout never occurred, the team would trade him to the Grizzlies in July.

The Grizzlies, who are entering a full rebuild after trading franchise cornerstones Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., aren’t losing much by letting go of Russell. The Grizzlies are turning to a younger roster featuring center Zach Edey and first-round pick Cameron Boozer. As the team looks to give the pair as many touches as possible to grow, the team didn’t need a volume scorer and vet on the roster.

After years of pseudo-contention, the Grizzlies made the decision to rebuild, as the team couldn’t capitalize on a restructured Western Conference. The Grizzlies have a plethora of draft picks and veterans on their roster to help them as they bottom out and develop good habits.

As the West contains juggernauts like the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, teams like Memphis and the Dallas Mavericks are rebuilding to create a stronger future with younger players and cheaper contracts to retool.

Despite only playing 26 games in the 2025-26 season, Russell was healthy for the season before the trades. Not necessarily a starter at this point in his career, he could contribute to a team that needs an extra playmaker off the bench. A career 17 points-per-game scorer and a 36% three-point shooter, he will now have the choice to join any team he likes and potentially contend.