MEMPHIS — The Grizzlies solved the first major problem of training camp Friday after someone in the front office reportedly remembered that NBA teams are allowed to remove players from the roster.
Memphis waived veteran guard D'Angelo Russell before camp, beginning the process of reducing a roster that had accumulated considerably more standard contracts than available opening-night spots.
Russell had only joined Memphis during the summer after arriving through a multi-team trade.
He leaves having completed one of the cleanest tenures in franchise history, committing zero turnovers, missing zero shots and never losing a basketball game for the Grizzlies.
Team officials thanked him for everything.
Memphis then signed undrafted guard Brendan Hausen, briefly demonstrating that clearing roster space can become addictive.
The Grizzlies enter the season in the middle of a major transition following the departure of Ja Morant, with rookie Cameron Boozer among the players expected to shape the franchise's next era.
That left the front office with the difficult task of deciding which players actually fit.
Sources say Memphis initially considered simply bringing everybody to opening night and hoping the scorer's table wouldn't count.
League rules unfortunately remain clear.
Only 15 players can occupy standard roster spots when the season begins.
The Grizzlies therefore expect additional difficult decisions.
For Russell, the good news is that Memphis made its decision early enough for him to pursue another opportunity.
His official Grizzlies career totals remain:
0 games.
0 points.
And one extremely efficient offseason.
