D’Angelo Russell is a man of many words. But somehow, they always come back to haunt him. This time, he finds himself at the center of ridicule after his own social media comment backfired. It happened just two and a half months after his latest trade, when he was suddenly waived by the Memphis Grizzlies before he even set foot on the court for training camp, as part of a roster-trimming move.

Earlier this year, in July, Russell landed in Memphis in a six-team, 11-player trade that sent him from the Washington Wizards. Shortly after the news broke, @swishcultures shared a post welcoming the veteran to Memphis. But D’Lo took to the comment section from his verified handle ‘@dloading’ to leave a defiant message for his critics: “No matter where you send me I’m still dangerous.”

At the time, the comment reflected the unshakable confidence of an All-Star entering his 12th NBA season. However, months later, the same statement took a dramatic turn when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Grizzlies had officially waived Russell, who was entering the final year of a $5.97 million contract. The move freed up space to sign undrafted guard Brendan Hausen.

It marks Russell’s third team change since February, following a chaotic stretch in which he was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to Washington in the Anthony Davis blockbuster deal, then rerouted to Memphis. Not to mention that the Wizards had also told him to stay home and stop reporting to practice.

Now, online fans showed no sympathy for the veteran guard, with many mocking his steep decline following his 2018–19 All-Star campaign with the Brooklyn Nets. He has been traded six times since that season, including a brief return to the Los Angeles Lakers, who drafted him with the No. 2 pick in 2015.

But after posting career-low averages of 10.2 points per game and four assists on 40.5 percent shooting from the field and 29.5 percent from beyond the arc across 26 games last season, Russell’s bold declaration quickly became prime meme material across the basketball world.

How D’Angelo Russell’s words are being used against him

NBA fans are pointing out the irony of declaring oneself “dangerous” just before a rebuilding franchise waives you. Memphis is indeed starting next season with a clean slate, with Cameron Boozer, after gradually moving on from familiar faces like Ja Morant, following the exits of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.

In came a sarcastic take for the free agent on the West Coast, with a fan posting, “Boutta be the most dangerous player on the Venice beach court.”

Some predicted Russell’s basketball future, with one fan mocking his prospective overseas options by writing, “He’s gonna be the next Marbury in China.”

D’Lo’s now-infamous line to former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison: “I like me with a chip on my shoulder,” when he arrived in Dallas in 2025, is now also being repeated everywhere for the wrong reasons.

Russell had joined the Mavericks, who desperately needed help at point guard because Kyrie Irving was out nursing a torn ACL. But the veteran struggled to break in and remained on the outskirts of head coach Jason Kidd’s plans…

“Been 10 yrs bro still loading and being waived🥀,” a netizen wrote, referring to his social media handle.

Technically, though, this is the first time Russell’s been waived. He’s usually traded or has been a free agent.

But the harsh roasts continued as fans questioned Russell’s standing in the league: “He’s a b-m now… Just became a dangerous b-m.”

Older followers also brought up his past off-court reputation dating back to his rookie season in Los Angeles, with a fan remarking, “He a snitch. Of course he dangerous.”

Nearly a decade ago, Russell was largely ostracized within the Lakers locker room after he posted a video of Nick Young admitting he had cheated on his then-fiancée, Iggy Azalea. Even though Russell apologized and the intentions behind whether the leak was accidental or intentional were never proven, this unwanted reputation still follows D’Lo to this day.

Although others aren’t tagging Nick Young for the famous locker room incident, commenters have turned Russell’s own wording directly against him, noting hilariously, “Yeah to dangerous to be on the team.”

Amid the trolling, some observers offered a more grounded critique of his career trajectory, urging him to adjust his expectations if he hopes to remain in the NBA.

“Hope dlo really changes his ways and gets in a role that is asked for him still thinking ur that guy mentality is gonna have u playing ymca pick up hoops.”

Russell’s career has seen a downturn, for sure. But he still possesses the skills to be an effective playmaker and long-range shooter. He has shot a career 36.3 percent from long range and was shooting 41.5 percent from deep as recently as the 2023-24 season.

As Russell enters unrestricted free agency, speculation has linked him to potential landing spots such as the Phoenix Suns, due to his close personal friendship with star guard Devin Booker, or even the Miami Heat for a stylistic fit, given Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury absences last season while at the Milwaukee Bucks.

However, until he secures a new roster spot, his “dangerous” warning remains a cautionary tale about online bravado colliding with the harsh reality of NBA roster cuts.