A former Los Angeles Lakers No. 2 pick has found a new team to play for after being released by the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason. In 2017, the Lakers selected D'Angelo Russell second overall, and he became a significant player on a talented, young roster. Fast forward to 2026, and he's been on the roster for multiple teams in his NBA career, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, and most recently, the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies made moves this offseason, including trading away multiple-time All-Star Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers. In addition, Memphis waived Russell last week after the Washington Wizards traded him there in July. According to multiple reports, the Grizzlies absorbed the $5.9 million Russell was owed for the upcoming season.
That gave the 11-year NBA veteran a chance to find a new team, and he did. More news: Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Opens Up on Praise From LeBron James, Giannis However, Russell isn't suiting up for an NBA team next season. On Wednesday, news surfaced that Russell, 30, is joining the Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
Russell, who played college basketball for Ohio State, was an NBA All-Star with the Nets in 2019, when he averaged a career-high 23.6 points along with 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game. He also helped the team achieve the No. 6 seed in the NBA Playoffs. He returned to the Lakers in 2023, several seasons after Anthony Davis and LeBron James helped the team capture another championship.
In more recent seasons, Russell returned to the Nets and played for the Dallas Mavericks. Russell played 26 games for the Mavericks in the 2025-26 season, averaging 10.2 points, four assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 19 minutes per game. Those numbers aren't jaw-dropping, but it still seems surprising, as he may still have been able to contribute to an NBA team in some capacity.
That said, he gets a new start with the CBA's Shanghai Sharks. China has often been a popular destination for NBA players who want to continue playing near the tail end of their careers, including Stephon Marbury, Gilbert Arenas, and Tracy McGrady. Former NBA players who played for the Sharks included Hassan Whiteside and Jimmer Fredette.
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