Wizards cut ties with $11.6 million Lakers reject via massive six-team trade

The Dallas Mavericks made headlines on Tuesday for a fascinating reason.

Per a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 2011 NBA champions are sending Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards in a massive six-team trade. Interestingly, the Wizards cut ties with an $11.6 million Los Angeles Lakers reject as part of the deal.

“Washington sends D'Angelo Russell, a 2029 second-rounder, a 2032 second-round swap and a 2033 second-round pick to Memphis,” Charania wrote. “Dallas also includes a 2033 second-round pick with Middleton to Washington. “Also in the trade, Detroit (Pistons) sent Caris LeVert and two second-round picks to the (Milwaukee) Bucks for Taurean Prince and Gary Harris on Tuesday.”

“That deal creates a trade exception for the Pistons as well as cap savings. All three players are on expiring deals. Other moves that were previously agreed upon are also involved in the deal. Detroit sends Marcus Sasser to Dallas, Isaiah Stewart to Memphis, and a protected 2028 second-round pick to the (Los Angeles) Clippers.”

“Memphis trades Santi Aldama and the draft rights to Tarik Biberovic to Dallas and three second-round picks (2029 second-most favorable of Detroit's, New York's (Knicks), and Milwaukee's, 2031 and 2032) to Detroit. The Clippers trade John Collins to Detroit and cash to Milwaukee. Dallas also trades AJ Johnson to Milwaukee and a 2030 conditional first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick to Memphis.”

Russell, who landed with the Wizards via a midseason trade but didn’t appear with the franchise last season, hasn’t been the same player since his 18-point, 6.3 assist 2023-24 campaign with the Lakers. 

The former lottery pick was as erratic as it gets with the Lakers to start the 2024-25 season, compelling the franchise to trade him to the Brooklyn Nets one month into the year. Russell only lasted 29 games with the Nets before joining the Mavericks last summer. Once again, the 30-year-old failed to finish the season with the organization he started it with, as Dallas shipped him to the Wizards this past February. 

If this concerning trend continues, it’ll only be a matter of time before Russell is on the move again.

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