Khris Middleton is making an unexpected return to the Wizards in a sign-and-trade deal with the Dallas Mavericks. This surprise news also comes with good implications for the Grizzlies. Along with the Middleton deal, the Santi Aldama and Isaiah Stewart trades are also involved in a six-team deal, which also includes teams like the Pistons, Bucks, and Clippers.
The other pleasant surprise for the Grizzlies is that they are acquiring D'Angelo Russell in exchange for a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap. The Grizzlies have significantly replenished their draft capital in the past year, and getting something for Russell's remaining deal is another win in the six-team trade.
However, arguably the biggest win of the trade is that the Grizzlies still preserved their $28.9 million TPE that they received in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. Given the fact that the Grizzlies are over the roster limit, today's trade update means that the Grizzlies are not done making moves yet.
As part of the elaborate six-team trade, the Washington Wizards are sending D'Angelo Russell, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/J7qwUL5n7r
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 8, 2026
Grizzlies still have more roster tweaks they can make
It's no secret that the Grizzlies are well over the roster limit and have still preserved their $28.9 million TPE in the process. With the Grizzlies not having signed their rookies yet, the team currently has 17 players on standard contracts. While the D'Angelo Russell news was unexpected, it would be a surprise if he played a single minute in Memphis, given the guard logjam and need for roster spots.
Considering the fact that D'Angelo Russell's player option was worth just $5.9 million, this is another piece of shrewd business by Zach Kleiman to get more draft capital. Even if Russell is waived or bought out, the Grizzlies still found a way to get more draft capital in a relatively minor piece of the six-team trade.
Plus, it's a strong signal that the Grizzlies will make more moves and could have another surprise up their sleeves. This also doesn't include the fact that the Grizzlies could end up signing Quinten Post very soon if the Warriors do not match the offer sheet by 11:59 ET tonight.
Assuming Quinten Post ends up in Memphis, there will likely be another flurry of moves such as a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope trade or buyout. It also seems likely that players acquired in recent trades such as AJ Johnson and Kris Murray will not play in Memphis. But the fact that the full TPE has been preserved could give the Grizzlies another significant chance to upgrade the roster.
Today's news comes as another pleasant surprise for what has been a pretty remarkable offseason to start the Grizzlies' rebuild. However, the Grizzlies are likely not done yet and could have another pleasant offseason surprise coming soon.
Add us as a preferred source on Google