​The Washington Wizards were part of a sprawling six-team trade that ESPN insider Shams Charania highlighted on Tuesday night. In the wake of the deal, the Wizards sent a 30-year-old former Lakers castoff, who had once been an All-Star, to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the complex transaction that dominated the early July news cycle. By Wednesday, the trade had been formalized, and Memphis announced the specifics of its acquisitions as part of the six-team arrangement that also involved the Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.
According to Memphis’ official statement, the Grizzlies obtained center Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons, guard AJ Johnson from the Dallas Mavericks, and guard D’Angelo Russell from the Washington Wizards. In addition to these players, Memphis received a collection of future assets: a conditional future first-round pick, three future second-round picks, and a future second-round draft pick swap. These assets were packaged into the six-team deal in which the Grizzlies joined forces with the Clippers and the Bucks to complete the blockbuster trade.
D’Angelo Russell’s career arc has been uneven since he entered the league in 2015. He has shown flashes of high-level production, but his long-term footing with teams has remained unsettled. His most extended stay in the NBA came with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he spent three seasons, indicating that the Ohio State product has faced challenges in sustaining a prolonged commitment from franchises. For a period, there was a sense that Russell might finally stabilize during his second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers. During that stretch, he posted 17.4 points and 6.2 assists per game, shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three-point range across 17 games, and he began the 2023 postseason with strong performances.
Yet, his performance in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets was inconsistent enough to raise concerns, contributing to the perception that his tenure in Los Angeles might be nearing its end once again. The Lakers then traded Russell to the Brooklyn Nets early in the 2024-25 season, a move that signaled a potential pattern of him becoming a journeyman rather than a cornerstone piece for a franchise. As the league evolves, Russell’s path may continue to be characterized by short stints and frequent moves as teams weigh his production against their long-term plans.
In the broader NBA landscape, other notable developments include the ongoing discussions surrounding former Warriors champion Jonathan Kuminga’s contract status and the Lakers’ ongoing sign-and-trade activities, which have generated attention as teams recalibrate their rosters for the coming season. The Celtics also announced the signing of a high-value deal worth $295 million to bring in a veteran ex-Jazz All-Star guard, a move aimed at bolstering their roster around Jayson Tatum. Meanwhile, the Lakers have shown some intriguing moves in the post-trade environment, including decisions related to free-agent additions and the summer league, with players like Dalton Knecht taking unconventional paths amid continued trade speculation. This evolving web of transactions underscores the NBA’s dynamic market as teams chase optimal fits, cap flexibility, and the potential for playoff advancement in a highly competitive league.