Washington Wizards guard D'Angelo Russell has picked up his player option for the 2026-27 NBA season, Hoops Rumors reported, citing Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
The decision guarantees Russell a $5,969,250 salary for the coming season. It does not automatically settle his place on Washington's roster, with the report noting that the Wizards could still trade him or work toward a buyout.
Russell Picks Up Wizards Option
Hoops Rumors described Russell as the first veteran to exercise a player option this offseason. The 30-year-old point guard is now under contract rather than entering free agency immediately.
The option decision follows a rough stretch for a former All-Star who had averaged more than 20 points per game in earlier seasons. Russell averaged 12.9 points during the second half of the 2024-25 season with Brooklyn, shooting .367 from the field, .297 from three-point range and .826 at the free-throw line.
He signed a two-year, $11.7 million deal with Dallas last offseason, according to the report. The Mavericks expected him to cover point-guard minutes while Kyrie Irving recovered from a torn ACL, but Russell made three starts in 26 games and averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 assists.
Washington Still Has Roster Choices
Russell was traded from Dallas to Washington before February's deadline in the larger deal that also sent Anthony Davis to D.C. Hoops Rumors reported that Russell was not required to report to the Wizards and sat out the rest of the season.
That background is why the option is more than a paperwork note. Washington now has a modest expiring salary attached to a veteran guard, but the team still has to decide whether Russell fits into camp, becomes trade ballast or reaches a buyout arrangement.
The Wizards also have another point-guard option decision in the same window, with Trae Young reportedly opting out while still expected to re-sign. Russell's move is the cleaner completed transaction: his 2026-27 salary is locked in, while Washington's roster plan remains the next step.