NBA Six-Team Trade Sends Russell to Grizzlies, Middleton to Wizards
One of the largest trades in NBA history reshapes six rosters at once — headlined by D'Angelo Russell joining Memphis and Khris Middleton returning to Washington.
The NBA's summer got a lot louder this week. In one of the largest trades in league history, six franchises — the Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, and LA Clippers — combined on a single sprawling deal that reshuffled rotations across the board.
Six franchises, dozens of assets, one trade — among the largest in NBA history.
The headline names: D'Angelo Russell heads to Memphis, and Khris Middleton returns to Washington for a second stint via sign-and-trade.
The Headline Move: Russell to Memphis
The Washington Wizards sent D'Angelo Russell, a 2029 second-round pick, and a 2033 second-round pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies. In return, Memphis's side of the deal included Isaiah Stewart and AJ Johnson, along with a conditional first-round pick and multiple second-round picks, according to the Grizzlies' own trade announcement. Russell, entering his 12th NBA season in 2026-27, reacted to the move on Instagram: "No matter where you send me I'm still dangerous."
Khris Middleton's Return to Washington
The trade also completed a sign-and-trade that sends veteran forward Khris Middleton from the Dallas Mavericks back to the Wizards, where he began his career. Middleton will sign a three-year, $17.6 million contract as part of the arrangement — the first year fully guaranteed, the second year only partially guaranteed, and the third year non-guaranteed. It marks his second stint in Washington, returning less than six months after being traded away at the February deadline for Anthony Davis.
What Each Team Reportedly Received
- Memphis Grizzlies — D'Angelo Russell, Isaiah Stewart, AJ Johnson, plus draft compensation
- Washington Wizards — Khris Middleton via sign-and-trade
- Dallas Mavericks — Santi Aldama and Marcus Sasser
- Detroit Pistons — John Collins, Taurean Prince, and Gary Harris
- Milwaukee Bucks — Caris LeVert
- LA Clippers — Draft pick compensation
Exact asset breakdowns varied slightly across initial reports as details were finalized — check back as league sources confirm the full trade tree.
Instant Trade Grades
| TEAM | GRADE | WHY |
|---|---|---|
| Grizzlies | B+ | Adds a proven scorer and shot-creator in Russell without giving up rotation pieces from the current roster. |
| Wizards | B | Bringing back a battle-tested Middleton on a team-friendly, mostly non-guaranteed deal is low-risk value for a rebuilding roster. |
| Mavericks | B- | Turns Middleton into younger, cost-controlled depth in Aldama and Sasser. |
| Pistons | C+ | Collects veteran depth pieces without a clear centerpiece coming back. |
| Bucks | C | LeVert adds wing depth but the return is modest for a trade this large. |
| Clippers | C | Facilitator role netting future draft compensation rather than immediate roster help. |
Grades reflect immediate roster fit and value received, not long-term projection — as always with trades this complex, the full picture takes a full season to play out.
Why It Matters
Six-team trades are rare precisely because they require this many separate front offices to agree on value at the same time. For Memphis, adding a proven pick-and-roll scorer in Russell gives the Grizzlies more perimeter shot creation heading into 2026-27. For Washington, bringing back a battle-tested Middleton adds shooting and championship experience to a young roster still finding its identity.
