D’Angelo Russell signs with the Shanghai Sharks after NBA exit

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Former NBA guard and 2019 All-Star D’Angelo Russell is continuing his professional career overseas, signing with the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association. The transition follows a turbulent stretch that saw Russell released by the Memphis Grizzlies on September 25, 2026, without appearing in a regular-season game for the franchise.

From the Draft Lottery to a Chinese Basketball Association Contract

Selected second overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers out of Ohio State, Russell carved out a productive 11-year NBA career that spanned 655 regular-season games, including 539 starts. Over that span, he averaged 17.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per contest. His peak individual campaign came during the 2018-19 season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 21.1 points and 7.0 assists per game, earning an injury-replacement selection to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.

Following his breakout year in Brooklyn, Russell’s career took on a nomadic trajectory. He played for the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, returned for a second stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, and spent time with the Brooklyn Nets again before joining the Dallas Mavericks in the summer of 2025 to help cover for injured guard Kyrie Irving.

Roster Shifts and the Decline in NBA Playing Time

Russell’s final NBA season with Dallas saw his numbers dip as his role shrank.

During the ensuing offseason, Russell was traded to the Washington Wizards in a deal involving Anthony Davis before being moved to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a complex six-team trade. The Grizzlies ultimately chose to waive him prior to training camp as part of a roster reconstruction prioritizing younger prospects.

Precedent with the Shanghai Sharks

At just 30 years old, Russell shifts to a Shanghai organization with a history of deploying former high-profile NBA guards, including past imports Jimmer Fredette and Eric Bledsoe. His arrival in the CBA marks a significant chapter for a player who was a cornerstone franchise talent just seven years prior.

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Editor-in-Chief

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.

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