D’Angelo Russell might be on the Wizards’ roster - but don’t expect to see him in a Washington uniform anytime soon.
Technically, Russell landed in D.C. as part of last week’s Anthony Davis trade, but Wizards GM Will Dawkins made it clear: this situation is still very much in flux.
“We’ve been in contact with D’Angelo and his representatives,” Dawkins said. “But he won’t report as we try to figure out what’s best for him and us and our future.”
Translation: Russell’s time with the Wizards could wrap before it even begins. A buyout or waiver feels like the most probable next step.
Russell is earning $5.7 million this season and holds a player option worth nearly $6 million for 2026-27 - a manageable number, but not one the Wizards seem eager to carry forward if he’s not in their plans.
Washington already waived Dante Exum, another player brought over in the deal, signaling a clear intent to keep the books flexible and the roster focused on long-term development.
As for Russell, this latest stop was just the next chapter in what’s become one of the NBA’s more nomadic careers. At 29, he’s already made the rounds: two stints with the Lakers, two with the Nets, and time in Golden State, Minnesota, and Dallas. The scoring ability has always been there - that smooth lefty stroke, the ability to heat up in a hurry - but the fit has often been the sticking point.
His most recent stint in Dallas didn’t exactly reignite his career. Brought in as the Mavericks’ primary free-agent signing last summer, Russell struggled to find rhythm or consistent minutes, averaging just over 10 points per game in a limited role.
Now, with Washington in the early stages of a rebuild and prioritizing youth and upside, Russell’s veteran presence doesn’t appear to be part of the long-term blueprint.
One player who is part of that plan? Jaden Hardy, another former Maverick who made his way to the Wizards in the same deal.
“Excited to have another young, scoring athlete,” Dawkins said. “We’ll see him play a little bit toward the end of the season.”
Hardy, still just 21, brings a burst of offensive potential that Washington’s front office is clearly eager to explore. He fits the mold of the kind of player the Wizards want to develop - young, athletic, and hungry for a larger role.
As for Russell, this might be another quick stop on a winding NBA journey. His time with the Wizards could be over before it ever really began.