Overview
- The Grizzlies placed D'Angelo Russell on waivers on Friday, September 25, 2026, putting him on a 48-hour claim window before he can become a free agent.
- Memphis made the move to reduce its number of guaranteed contracts and trim toward the 15-player regular-season roster while retaining Russell's roughly $5.97–$6.0 million fully guaranteed, expiring salary.
- Russell, a former No. 2 pick and 2019 All-Star, has seen his role and shooting fall in recent seasons and averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 assists in 26 games for Dallas last season.
- He arrived in Memphis in July as part of a six-team offseason trade that used his expiring deal as a roster and salary piece, but he never appeared in a game for the Grizzlies.
- League insiders expect Russell to clear waivers because of the contract, after which he could sign a new deal with a contender seeking veteran backcourt depth, with the Miami Heat mentioned frequently as a possible fit.