On Sept. 25, the Memphis Grizzlies waived D’Angelo Russell without playing a single game for the franchise.
The 30-year-old, a former All-Star, intends to sign with a playoff team after his stint with the Dallas Mavericks, where he played 26 games and averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 assists on 29.5% from three. He’s now a minimum or near-minimum guard who can still run a second unit if he lands on a solid contender.
Russell can sign a one-year deal and prove himself without compromising a team’s future and salary cap. His playmaking is still valuable around the league, and teams need a body in their camps who can create and run their offensive sets.
The second overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft didn’t nurse any minor or major injuries; instead, he sat out the rest of last season after he was traded to the Washington Wizards.
When fully healthy, Russell could still offer a ceiling similar to his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023-24 season, where he averaged 18.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists on 41.5% shooting from deep in 69 games.
However, his current realistic stat line is 12 to 15 points and five assists per contest off the bench, as his defense is still his biggest question mark.
Four teams could use his services: the Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets and Mavericks.
With the Nuggets, he could be the second-unit initiator during Nikola Jokic’s rest minutes, much like Russell Westbrook did during his time with the franchise. He can space the floor and run the pick-and-roll,but would need more help on the defensive end to mask the hole in his game.
The Sixers are another ideal destination, as they can use Rusell’s extra ball-handling next to a loaded roster to distribute the ball. But with the already crowded lineup, he'll have to accept fewer minutes, between 18 and 20.
Next is the Hornets, who seem to be in rebuild mode after trading their star guard, LaMelo Ball. Russell will give them instant offense with their young core, but the only problem is that they are not a contender.
It also gives him the freedom to play without pressure and focus on having fun on the court while the team develops its young players.
Lastly, a reunion with the Mavs could be perfect for him, as he can be the backup creator behind a fully healthy Kyrie Irving. However, his shooting slump last season could be the dealbreaker for Dallas because he shot poorly from three.
Outside these four franchises, any team can sign him given that it will be on a cheap contract. It is an all-important year for him to prove that he’s still a solid NBA player.
