D'Angelo Russell leaves NBA, signs with Shanghai Sharks

D'Angelo Russell, waived by the Memphis Grizzlies on September 30, has signed with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for the 2026-27 season. The move marks Russell's first professional experience outside the United States.

Russell, 30, had exercised his $5 million player option for the 2026-27 season before being traded from the Washington Wizards to Memphis as part of a six-team deal in July. Memphis released him as a roster-trimming move one month before the season began. The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft had not played for either Washington or Memphis.

Russell's departure from the NBA comes after declining playing time and production over recent seasons. Last season with the Dallas Mavericks, he averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 assists across 26 games, including only three starts. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd opted to develop Cooper Flagg, Brandon Williams, and Ryan Nembhard at the point guard position instead. Russell was later traded to Washington at the 2026 trade deadline as part of an Anthony Davis deal.

In his NBA career, Russell has averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists over 655 regular-season games across multiple teams including the Lakers, Nets, Warriors, Timberwolves, Mavericks, Wizards, and Grizzlies. He earned All-Star honors in 2019 as an injury replacement while with the Brooklyn Nets. His most productive recent season came in 2023-24 with the Lakers, when he averaged 18 points and five assists per game.