A six-team trade went down on Tuesday night in the NBA, with a handful of players changing teams. The biggest name in that trade is D’Angelo Russell, a veteran guard who was an All-Star back in 2019 and is now headed to the Memphis Grizzlies.
D’Angelo Russell Insists He Still Got Game After Trade to Memphis
Russell has had some very good seasons in the NBA, but his shooting accuracy has fluctuated, and he’s regarded as a lacking defender who lacks an emotional edge. Over the last two seasons, his production and overall game have seemingly fallen off a cliff.
But that’s not the way he sees it.
Shortly after the trade was announced, Russell took to Instagram to insist that his best days aren’t behind him, via X (formerly Twitter) user Icey.
“No matter where you send me I’m still dangerous,” Russell wrote.
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The year he made the All-Star team, Russell averaged 21.1 points and 7 assists a game. As recently as the 2023-24 season, he registered 18 points and 6.3 assists a game while shooting a career-high 41.5% from 3-point range.
But in the last two seasons, Russell has mustered 11.4 points and 4.8 assists a game while seeing his playing time diminished, and he shot just 39.4% overall and 30.9% from downtown during that time.
While he is just 30 years of age, which isn’t exactly old by NBA standards, many likely feel he’s past his expiration date.
The Grizzlies certainly need him to return to form.
Their frontcourt looks solid with centers Zach Edey, Isaiah Stewart, and Quinten Post, forward Jerami Grant, who is a proven scorer, and rookie Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 pick in last month’s draft. Boozer could quickly become a star, and Edey has been developing into an offensive option.
But the Grizzlies’ backcourt is lacking. Scotty Pippen Jr., who is currently slated to be their starting point guard, is better off as a reserve, and no one else on their roster appears capable of being a viable starting point guard.
At his best, Russell can be a floor general, get people involved, and be a legitimate scoring threat. He has always had the ability to get hot from the outside for extended stretches, and he doesn’t commit that many turnovers.
Is that the version of Russell that the Grizzlies are getting? Or are they getting the diminished and possibly aging version of him that he seemed to be over the last two NBA campaigns?
