MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Hustle have acquired the returning player rights to forward Braxton Key from the San Diego Clippers in exchange for the returning player rights to guard DJ Steward and a 2026 first-round pick (via Maine), the team announced Thursday.
Key, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward, played 49 games last season with the Santa Cruz Warriors and San Diego Clippers, averaging 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. The 2024-25 NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year has appeared in 157 career G League games, averaging 15.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks. He previously helped the Delaware Blue Coats capture the 2023 G League championship and has twice been named to the G League All-Defensive Team.
The Charlotte native, age 28, has also logged NBA minutes with the Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers, appearing in 37 career games since entering the league as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia in 2020. Key was a member of Virginia’s 2019 NCAA national championship team.
In the deal, Memphis parts ways with Steward, who averaged 19.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 29 games for the Hustle last season. The 24-year-old guard has played 181 G League games over four seasons with Memphis, Windy City, Maine and Stockton.
The Hustle will look to Key’s defensive presence and championship pedigree as they prepare for the upcoming NBA G League season.
Returning rights to DJ Steward, shown in action for the Memphis Hustle against the Maine Celtics last season, was dealt to the San Diego Clippers, the Memphis Hustle announced Thursday. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
