Former NBA All-Star D’Angelo Russell is taking the next step in his basketball career overseas after agreeing to sign with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
The move comes after Russell was released by the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in September. At 30 years old, the former No. 2 overall pick is now set to continue his career in China after spending more than a decade in the NBA.
D’Angelo Russell Joins Shanghai Sharks
The Shanghai Sharks announced Russell’s arrival on Wednesday, adding an experienced former NBA guard to a team that won the CBA championship last season.
Russell entered the NBA as the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, when the Los Angeles Lakers selected him out of Ohio State. He later developed into an All-Star with the Brooklyn Nets, earning his first All-Star selection in 2019.
His move to Shanghai makes Russell one of the latest established NBA players to continue his career in the CBA.
The Sharks have also featured several former NBA players in recent seasons, including Hassan Whiteside, Kenny Lofton and Brandon Goodwin. Former NBA stars such as Stephon Marbury, Tracy McGrady, Jeremy Lin, Gilbert Arenas, Michael Beasley and J.R. Smith have also played in China during their careers.
Russell’s Recent NBA Journey
Russell’s NBA career has included stops with several franchises. After beginning with the Lakers, he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, where he enjoyed one of the strongest stretches of his career.
He later played for the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves before returning to Los Angeles in 2023 as part of a major three-team trade.
During the 2023-24 NBA season, Russell averaged 18 points per game for the Lakers and remained an important offensive option for the team.
His second stint with Los Angeles ended midway through the 2024-25 season. Russell returned to Brooklyn for part of the season before signing with the Dallas Mavericks in the summer of 2025.
Dallas initially expected Russell to provide point-guard minutes while Kyrie Irving recovered from a torn ACL. However, Russell eventually fell out of the rotation and was traded to the Washington Wizards in February 2026 as part of the Anthony Davis trade.
Russell did not appear in a game for Washington before Memphis acquired him in a multiteam sign-and-trade. The Grizzlies subsequently released him to create roster flexibility.
What Comes Next for D’Angelo Russell?
Russell’s move to the Shanghai Sharks represents a new chapter for a player who has experienced several changes in recent NBA seasons.
The CBA has restrictions on the number of foreign players each team can roster, with teams allowed to carry three foreign players at a time. Shanghai already has former NBA player Brandon Goodwin on its roster.
For Russell, playing in China could provide an opportunity to take on a significant role and continue competing at a high level.
Whether the move marks the end of his NBA career remains uncertain. Several former NBA players have used successful CBA stints as opportunities to extend their careers overseas, while some have eventually returned to the NBA.
D’Angelo Russell’s NBA Career at a Glance
Russell entered the league as one of the biggest prospects of the 2015 NBA Draft and eventually became an NBA All-Star in 2019. His career has taken him through Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Golden State, Minnesota, Dallas, Washington and Memphis.
Now, the D’Angelo Russell story continues with the Shanghai Sharks.
His experience, scoring ability and years of NBA competition will make him one of the more recognizable former NBA players competing in the CBA during the upcoming season.
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