D’Angelo Russell is headed to waivers after the Memphis Grizzlies released him Friday, clearing a standard roster spot before training camp and ending his brief stay with the organization.
Russell, 30, will become an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers. Memphis also announced the signing of guard Brendan Hausen, an undrafted rookie from Iowa, as it continued adjusting its roster before the season.
The Grizzlies entered Friday with 19 players on standard contracts, according to Hoops Rumors. Releasing Russell leaves further decisions ahead before they settle on the 15 players permitted on the regular-season standard roster.
Russell’s approximately $5.97 million salary for the coming season was fully guaranteed, Hoops Rumors reported. After waiving him, Memphis still had 17 guaranteed contracts and Jaylen Wells’ partially guaranteed deal to consider before finalizing its roster.
Russell averaged 10.2 points and four assists in 26 appearances for Dallas last season. He made three starts and shot 40.5 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from three-point range before leaving the Mavericks at the trade deadline.
Dallas sent him to Washington in the Anthony Davis trade, but he was not required to report to the Wizards for the remainder of the season. After exercising his player option in June, he moved to Memphis in July’s six-team transaction.
The second overall pick in the 2015 draft, Russell made his only All-Star appearance with Brooklyn in 2019. He averaged 21.1 points, seven assists and 3.9 rebounds that season as the Nets reached the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s sixth seed.
Russell later played for Golden State, Minnesota, the Lakers and Dallas after his first stint in Brooklyn. Memphis’ decision gives him time to seek another team before the season, provided he clears waivers, with most camps opening next week.
Russell’s recent shooting has been below his career standards for two consecutive seasons. Before his year in Dallas, he made 39 percent of his shots and 31.4 percent of his three-point attempts across 58 games split between the Lakers and Nets in 2024–25.
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This page is an original Sporting Page summary. The reporting remains with NBA: Memphis confirms Russell’s release.
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