D'Angelo Russell and the Grizzlies Are Already Planning a Breakup

D'Angelo Russell's era in Memphis is officially on track to end before he even figures out his commute to the arena.

According to Kelly Iko, the Grizzlies and the veteran point guard are expected to work toward parting ways, either through a trade or a buyout.

"D'Angelo Russell, Grizzlies expected to work toward parting ways either via buyout or trade, per @KellyIko."

If you are confused because Memphis just acquired the 30-year-old in a massive six-team trade earlier this month, welcome to the business of modern basketball. The Grizzlies did not trade for a player. They traded for the future second-round pick and pick swap attached to him.

Taking on a player just to immediately buy him out is the NBA equivalent of buying a terrible couch on Facebook Marketplace just because the seller threw in a free flat-screen TV. Russell was just the bubble wrap protecting the draft capital.

The basketball fit never made sense anyway. Memphis already has a crowded point guard room featuring Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr., and general manager Zach Kleiman has publicly stated he wants the younger guards to get real rotation minutes.

Russell is coming off a rough stretch, averaging a career-worst 10.2 points and four assists in 26 games for the Dallas Mavericks last season. But he is entering the final year of a highly digestible $5.9 million contract.

That price tag makes him an intriguing dart throw for a team needing backcourt depth, which could slightly shift the odds for a fringe contender looking for cheap scoring. If Memphis cannot find a trade partner willing to bite, expect Russell to hit the open buyout market and latch onto a new roster before training camp.