D’Angelo Russell Opts Into $6 Million. The Wizards Aren’t Complaining.

D’Angelo Russell is sticking around in Washington. At least for one more year.

The veteran guard picked up his $6 million player option for the 2026-27 season, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. That means Russell won’t hit free agency this summer. He’ll stay with the Wizards instead.

Fischer broke the news Friday on X.

Russell landed in Washington as part of that monster deadline deal that sent Anthony Davis from Dallas to the Wizards. It was a trade that signaled Washington’s front office was done waiting. They wanted to compete now. And bringing in Davis alongside Trae Young was the clearest sign yet.

Before the trade, Russell spent the first chunk of the season with the Mavericks. In 26 games there — three of them starts — he averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 assists. Not bad. But his shooting numbers told a rougher story. He hit just 40.5% from the field and a career-worst 29.5% from three. At 19.0 minutes a night, it wasn’t exactly vintage Russell.

And here’s the weird part. He never actually suited up for the Wizards after the trade. Not once. So Washington is essentially banking on a guy they haven’t seen in their own uniform yet.

But that’s not necessarily a bad bet.

Russell is 30 now. He was the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft and he’s made an All-Star team. That kind of experience matters, especially on a team that’s about to get really young really fast. The Wizards finished this season 17-65. That’s awful. But it also landed them the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Everyone expects them to take AJ Dybantsa.

So next season’s roster is shaping up. Davis, Young, the top pick and now Russell. That’s a backcourt with some serious scoring pop and a frontcourt anchored by one of the best two-way big men in the league. It’s not a finished product. But it’s a lot more interesting than what Washington was running out there last season.

Russell’s opt-in gives the Wizards a veteran presence in the locker room and another ball-handler who can create his own shot. Maybe he finds his rhythm again in a new system. Maybe he doesn’t. But for $6 million in today’s NBA, it’s a low-risk move that gives the front office flexibility. If it works, great. If not, the contract is small enough to move.

Either way, Washington isn’t sneaking up on anyone next season. They’re building something. And Russell just decided he wants to be part of it.