Latest NBA news, rumors heading into 2026 training camps: Grizzlies waive D'Angelo Russell

Memphis has a roster crunch, with 19 players on standard contracts heading into camp, but only 15 can make the opening roster. Cuts are coming.

D'Angelo Russell is the first one, the team announced Friday. This was expected around the league, it had been reported back in July that the Grizzlies were working with Russell to find a trade to a new home for him. That didn't work out, so they waived him, and it was done early enough for Russell to find a new home before the season starts. Russell had a $5.9 million contract for this season that the Grizzlies will likely eat (they could waive and stretch it to lessen the per-year hit, but they are under the salary cap as it is and can afford to just pay it now).

Russell played 26 games for the Mavericks last season, averaging 10.2 points and four assists per game. Dallas traded him to Washington as part of the Anthony Davis trade, but Russell worked it out with the Wizards and never reported there. This offseason, the Wizards traded Russell to Memphis, which has now released him.