Memphis Grizzlies Waive D'Angelo Russell Before He Even Plays a Game
Shams Charania reported that the move frees Russell up to potentially land somewhere before the start of the season.
The just looked at their preseason roster math, realized they had one too many chairs, and decided D'Angelo Russell was the guy who had to stand up.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, has officially waived the veteran guard to trim their roster down before the regular season tips off.
This is objectively hilarious timing when you remember exactly how he got there. Russell was shipped to back in July as part of a chaotic six-team trade that required a whiteboard and a law degree to fully understand.
Getting moved in a massive summer blockbuster only to get cut two months later without playing a single meaningful minute is a brutal business reality. It is the NBA equivalent of being invited to a destination wedding just to find out you are not allowed at the reception.
For context, Russell is coming off a stretch where he averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 assists. He is not the All-Star he once was, but he is still a guy who can get you buckets when the half-court offense completely stalls out.
His recent injury history reads like a medical dictionary of minor ailments—ankles, shins, and a whole lot of generic illnesses—but a healthy D-Lo on a minimum deal is absolutely going to tempt somebody.
From a betting perspective, his next landing spot could slightly shift the depth chart dynamics for a contender looking to bolster their second unit. Do not expect ship futures to swing, but rotation props and bench scoring totals will definitely feel the impact wherever he signs.
Now, Russell hits the open market with a chip on his shoulder and a few weeks to find a new home before opening night.
Expect a team desperate for backcourt scoring to scoop him up on a discount, because in this league, a guy who can randomly drop 25 points on a Tuesday is never out of work for long.