The Memphis Grizzlies waived veteran guard D’Angelo Russell, making the former All-Star an unrestricted free agent once he clears the waiver wire. Russell, who was acquired in a six-team trade in July, is reportedly seeking a landing spot with a playoff contender for the upcoming season.
How D’Angelo Russell Landed on Waivers in Memphis
The Memphis Grizzlies formally announced the roster move, placing the 30-year-old guard on waivers alongside a corresponding signing of rookie guard Brendan Hausen, who went undrafted out of Iowa in June. Russell’s exit brings a swift end to his brief tenure with the franchise.
Russell arrived in Memphis back in July as part of a six-team trade that involved several notable players, including Isaiah Stewart, Santi Aldama, John Collins, and Khris Middleton. However, the Grizzlies entered Friday carrying 19 players on standard contracts, creating a severe roster crunch that left Russell as an expected odd man out.
Cutting him ahead of training camp gives the veteran guard a chance to clear waivers before the rest of the league opens camp. The franchise will remain responsible for his expiring, fully guaranteed salary of $5.97MM.
A Steep Production Decline Following Dallas and Los Angeles Stints
The waiver placement caps a tumultuous stretch for the former second overall draft pick. Prior to his brief time in Memphis and an unrequired stint with the Washington Wizards following a February trade deadline blockbuster involving Anthony Davis, Russell endured a difficult campaign in Dallas.
Ahead of the 2025/26 season, he signed a two-year, $11.7MM contract with the Mavericks with expectations that he would step in as the starting point guard in the absence of Kyrie Irving. Instead, he opened the season coming off the bench before tumbling out of the rotation entirely.
Russell appeared in just 26 games for Dallas, making three starts and posting a career-low 10.2 points per game while shooting .405 from the field, .295 from beyond the arc, and .717 from the free-throw line. That output followed a similarly tough 2024/25 season split between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets, where he converted just 39.0% of his field goals and 31.4% of his three-point attempts across 58 outings.
Playoff Aspirations and Potential Suitors on the Horizon
Despite his recent struggles, league sources indicate that the veteran point guard wants to join a playoff-contending team.
Roster Math Ahead of Opening Night in Memphis
The decision to part ways with Russell was primarily driven by sheer roster arithmetic. Even after cutting the veteran, the Grizzlies still carry 17 players on guaranteed contracts alongside Jaylen Wells on a partially guaranteed deal.
Front office executives must trim down to the mandatory 15-man regular-season limit before opening night. Meanwhile, rookie signee Brendan Hausen enters camp on what figures to be an Exhibit 10 agreement designed to secure his G League rights with the Memphis Hustle, provided he hits the threshold of spending at least 60 days with the affiliate squad this fall.