Dante Exum has already been waived by the Washington Wizards, and whether D'Angelo Russell joins the organization is now a question mark after general manager Will Dawkins joined the organization.
The Washington Wizards have reshaped their roster for a second time during the 2025-26 season, but they may not add potentially two of four newly acquired players.
Ahead of Sunday's loss vs. Miami, Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said that guard D'Angelo Russell will not report to the team as the two sides navigate his future.
"We've talked to him, talked to his representatives. At the time he's not going to report, as we try to figure out what's best for him and us in our future," Dawkins told reporters.
The news came hours after the team also waived veteran guard Dante Exum, who has been sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season and is expected to independently continue his rehab process in Dallas.
Jaden Hardy was also included in the deal and despite questions about the others, the 23 year old guard has arrived in DC though was one of five players ruled out ahead of tipoff with his Wizards debut on hold. The former second round pick arrives in Washington averaging 6.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.9 assists in nearly 13 minutes of action as he looks to find his footing in what may be a crowded backcourt once Tre Johnson also returns, possibly following the All Star break.
Of course, the marquee addition in the transaction was the arrival of veteran forward Anthony Davis, and Dawkins expressed optimism that Davis would be able to make his Wizards debut this season. Though similar to Trae Young, Davis is also expected to take a patient approach with his recovery as Dawkins noted the plan is to return to Dallas where he will continue his rehab.
"He has a really good team down there. Our doctors met with them and our medical staff is going to go down with them,” Dawkins said. “So we want to keep that good thing going that he had. During [the] All-Star break, he takes another visit for a doctor. That's a big appointment for us to kind of see where his progress is at and after that, after All-Star break, he'll return to DC and return to the team.
Washington acquired both Exum and Russell in the pre-trade deadline deal with the Dallas Mavericks that landed ten-time All-Star Anthony Davis with the franchise.
The next question involves the Wizards' long-term plan with uncertainty whether a contract extension will come to fruition, though Dawkins noted the two sides are unable to work toward that agreement at this stage.
"Rich Paul, myself, Michael Winger, we have a good relationship and a good rapport so when it becomes time to have those conversations, I'm sure we will," Dawkins said. "The most important thing is to get him healthy and getting him on the floor so that he can play with his teammates and get to learn them."
Meanwhile, Washington dropped their second consecutive game after a 31-point loss vs. Miami on Sunday, the second of a back-to-back, and return to action on Wednesday to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road in the final game ahead of the All Star break.