​The Memphis Grizzlies are set to acquire former All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell as part of a six-team trade, according to ESPN. In this deal, Memphis will gain a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap. The transaction also ties into previously reported Grizzlies moves involving Isaiah Stewart and AJ Johnson, who are slated to come to Memphis from the Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks, respectively. As part of the arrangement, Memphis will send Santi Aldama to the Mavericks, clearing the path to land Johnson.
This development arrives amid the Grizzlies’ broader efforts to reorganize and reinforce their roster. The team recently showcased its young talent at the 2026 NBA Draft, where Karim Lopez, Cameron Boozer, and Richie Saunders represented Memphis at their inaugural press conference at FedExForum in Memphis on June 25, 2026. The event underscored Memphis’ ongoing commitment to cultivating a mix of established veterans and rising prospects as they navigate a stacked roster.
Memphis currently faces the practical realities of a roster logjam ahead of the 2026-27 season. NBA rules permit teams to carry up to 21 players under contract, which translates to up to 18 standard contracts and three two-way deals for the Grizzlies. With the addition of Stewart, Johnson, and Russell, Memphis now sits at 17 players on standard contracts. On the rookie front, first-round picks Boozer and Lopez remain unsigned, while the No. 32 overall pick, Richie Saunders, is also unsigned. The current structure leaves the Grizzlies with some flexibility to negotiate deals with their young talent while continuing to shape the roster through trades and signings.
The Russell trade continues the Grizzlies’ strategy of prioritizing asset collection and future draft capital. Earlier in the process, Memphis moved down from No. 16 to No. 21 in the draft, a maneuver that ultimately yielded Stewart and two additional second-round picks. In the Aldama-for-Johnson exchange, Memphis secured a protected 2030 first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors along with two future second-round picks. The latest move adds another second-round pick to Memphis’s growing inventory, reinforcing the team’s emphasis on long-term planning and future flexibility.
Damichael Cole covers the Memphis Grizzlies for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Fans can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @DamichaelC. This report originated with Memphis Commercial Appeal’s coverage of the Grizzlies’ six-team trade, highlighted by the acquisition of former All-Star D’Angelo Russell. The arrangement signals a continued focus on asset accumulation and player development as the Grizzlies navigate a dynamic and increasingly crowded talent pool.