Grizzlies point guard D’Angelo Russell is not believed to be a long-term piece in Memphis, with both sides expected to work together toward a resolution that would allow the 30-year-old to find a new home at some point this offseason — whether via a buyout agreement or a trade — sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Russell, who appeared in just 25 games last season in Dallas, arrived in Memphis earlier this month as part of an expansive six-team deal involving Milwaukee, Washington, Dallas, the LA Clippers and Detroit. The trade also sent center Isaiah Stewart, guard AJ Johnson, three future second-round picks, a conditional first-round pick and a second-round swap to the Grizzlies.
The veteran guard was assumed to be part of a ball-handling group in Dallas last season designed to assist in the development of then-rookie Cooper Flagg, but started just three games — seemingly falling out of favor with former head coach Jason Kidd amid options like Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams. Russell, who was later traded to the Wizards at the February trade deadline and opted into the final year of his contract ($6 million) in June, would be potentially joining his fourth team in a span of two years.
Russell’s timeline — an experienced player with over 30 playoff games — simply doesn’t align with a rebuilding Grizzlies franchise seeking young, developmental talent centered around a core of Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and recent No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer. Coward and Boozer impressed in Vegas during summer league, with Coward averaging 19 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds and Boozer finishing the campaign earning first-team honors — and with the Grizzlies reaching the championship game. Memphis is also dealing with a roster crunch after an eventful summer, with 21 players currently on the roster (including Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack, who are on two-way contracts).
The next question for Russell at this stage of the offseason will be finding a situation outside of Memphis where his skill set fits with an already established ecosystem. At a glance, his career stats paint the picture of a more-than-capable floor general — 17 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists on .427/.363/.793 splits — but his recent inconsistency requires a larger lens. When Russell has dominated the ball, he’s been shown to be a quality creator who threads the needle well between usage, playmaking and scoring prowess. The challenge for him, at least over the course of his recent stops with the Lakers, Nets and Mavericks, has been dealing with efficiency under the umbrella of shot distribution and overall pecking order — along with remaining effective on the defensive end.
While there is no exact timetable for a solution, it’s understood that an amicable split is best for both entities. Even in what has developed into a journeyman’s career, the veteran guard is still expected to register some degree of interest around the league due to his combination of on-court IQ, versatility and experience. Russell, who was drafted by the Lakers second overall in 2015 out of Ohio State, has played for 11 seasons across the Lakers, Wolves, Nets, Warriors and Mavericks.
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