The incredible fate of former Lakers player D'Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell will face a new chapter in his career away from the NBA. The American point guard has reached an agreement with the Shanghai Sharks to play the 2026-27 season in the CBA, marking his first professional experience outside the United States.

Russell, 30 years old, arrives in Chinese basketball after being released following his exit from the Memphis Grizzlies. The franchise decided to part ways with the veteran guard last week as part of a move to reduce its roster, allowing him to seek a new destination once the appropriate waiver period had passed.

The player had previously exercised his $5 million player option for the 2026-27 season before being traded from the Washington Wizards to Memphis in a deal involving six teams. Ultimately, he will not continue in the NBA and will head to the Shanghai Sharks.

From second overall draft pick to All-Star

Russell's arrival in China represents a significant change for a player who was selected with the number 2 overall pick in the 2015 Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Los Angeles franchise bet on him as one of the great talents of that generation, although his time in Los Angeles lasted only two seasons.

In 2017, Russell was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in a deal that sent Brook Lopez and the draft rights to Kyle Kuzma to the Lakers. It was precisely in Brooklyn where the guard enjoyed his best individual period and made the All-Star team for the first time.

Russell was selected for the 2019 All-Star Game as a replacement for the injured Victor Oladipo. In this way, he became the first Nets player chosen for the All-Star game since Joe Johnson in 2014.

After that period, Russell continued moving teams in the NBA. He played for the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Los Angeles Lakers, before returning to Brooklyn and later continuing his career with the Dallas Mavericks.

His last season in Dallas

Russell's last season in the NBA was marked by his time with the Dallas Mavericks, where he played 26 games. The guard finished the season averaging 10.2 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Now, his career takes a turn with his arrival at the Shanghai Sharks. This will be the first time Russell plays professionally outside of the United States, after having built his entire career in the NBA.

Throughout 655 regular-season games, the former number 2 pick in the Draft has averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists.

The player who came to the NBA as one of the Lakers' big bets and who reached the All-Star game with Brooklyn will now face a new challenge in China, where he will begin an unprecedented phase in his career.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El increíble destino del ex de los Lakers D"Angelo Russell