Grizzlies release former All-Star D’Angelo Russell

The Memphis Grizzlies have waived veteran guard D’Angelo Russell, trimming their roster just days before media day and the opening of preseason training camp in Nashville. The team announced the roster moves on Sept. 25, which include bringing in rookie guard Brendan Hausen to compete for a spot.

Russell arrived in Memphis during July as part of a six-team trade that involved Isaiah Stewart, Santi Aldama, John Collins, and Khris Middleton, among others. The July deal sent forward Santi Aldama to the Dallas Mavericks. That transaction followed a period for the 30-year-old guard, who had split the previous season between the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, and Dallas Mavericks. After signing a two-year, $11.7MM contract with Dallas ahead of the 2025/26 season to fill in for Kyrie Irving as the team’s starting point guard, Russell came off the bench to open the season and then fell out of the rotation altogether. His time in Dallas consisted of only 26 total appearances, featuring three starts and a career-worst average of 10.2 points per game alongside shooting marks of .405/.295/.717. For the second consecutive year, his shooting efficiency dipped significantly below his career averages. Across 58 appearances split between the Lakers and Nets during the 2024/25 campaign, he managed to convert just 39.0% of his field goal attempts and 31.4% of his three-pointers. Following a trade deadline deal in 2026 that sent him from the Mavericks to the Wizards as part of the Anthony Davis blockbuster, he was not asked to join his new club for the remainder of the season. After he exercised his player option in June, D-Lo was dealt to Memphis.

Russell is a 2015 No. 2 pick and former All-Star who entered his 11th season, having made one All-Star appearance and played for five teams. During his lone All-Star campaign with the Brooklyn Nets in 2018-19, he posted averages of 21.1 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, guiding a youthful and rebuilding squad to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. After his two-year stint with the Nets concluded, his career subsequently took him to the Warriors, Timberwolves, Lakers, and Mavericks. He was in the final year of a two-year deal and was set to earn more than $5.9 million this season.

Roster Crunch and Financial Impact in Memphis

Memphis faced a roster crunch entering the final week of September, having carried 19 players on standard contracts into the day on Friday. Cutting Russell always seemed likely as he was one of the odd men out, and cutting him now gives him an opportunity to clear waivers before most teams begin training camp next week. He’s hoping to land with a playoff contender, sources tell Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Waiving Russell gives the Grizzlies more flexibility to make more moves.

While Russell departs, the financial terms of his departure remain fixed. The Grizzlies remain on the hook for Russell’s expiring $5.97MM salary, which was fully guaranteed. Waiving him now rather than later allows the veteran guard a chance to clear waivers and potentially sign elsewhere before the season gets underway.

Brendan Hausen Joins the Roster for Preseason Camp

The Grizzlies are signing guard Brendan Hausen as a corresponding move, with the team putting out a press release formally confirming that Russell has been placed on waivers and noting the signing of rookie guard Brendan Hausen, who went undrafted out of Iowa in June. Having gone unselected in the 2026 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-4 guard subsequently participated in the summer league with Memphis. Hausen spent time at Iowa, Villanova and Kansas State in college.

Although specific contract details were left undisclosed, the transaction is expected to be an Exhibit 10 deal that secures Hausen’s G League rights while making him eligible for a financial bonus should he log at least 60 days with the Memphis Hustle during the upcoming fall.

Next Steps on the Road to Opening Night

The timing of the transaction clears the deck for the Grizzlies as they prepare for the team’s official media day on Sept. 28 before heading to Nashville for preseason training camp Sept. 29-Oct. 2. With the 2026-27 campaign approaching, Memphis needed to finalize a roster adjustment beforehand because NBA franchises are permitted to maintain a maximum of 21 players under contract during this period.

Front office decision-makers still face additional personnel decisions before opening night in order to set their 15-man roster for the regular season. Because the roster currently features 17 players on fully guaranteed agreements in addition to Jaylen Wells on a partially guaranteed pact, Memphis still needs to make several more roster adjustments.