The NBA-to-China pipeline is drawing attention again. Former All-Star D’Angelo Russell has left the NBA for the Shanghai Sharks, giving a familiar basketball name a new stage just as the 2026-27 season approaches.
Russell’s move is notable because he is only 30 and has spent 11 seasons in the NBA. His decision also comes alongside other recent moves involving former NBA players, suggesting China remains an attractive destination for experienced American talent.
This is not entirely new. China has welcomed recognizable NBA veterans for years, but Russell’s arrival highlights how the CBA can provide another competitive opportunity when NBA roster options become harder to secure.
D’Angelo Russell starts a new chapter
Russell signed with the Shanghai Sharks on September 30 after the Memphis Grizzlies waived him on September 25. The move gives the former No. 2 overall pick his first professional experience outside the United States.
The guard spent last season with the Dallas Mavericks, appearing in 26 games and averaging 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. Across 655 NBA games, Russell has averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
Russell also brings legitimate NBA credentials to Shanghai. He earned his only All-Star selection with Brooklyn during the 2018-19 season, when he averaged 21.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game.
Shanghai offers Russell a major role
The Shanghai Sharks are not simply another overseas stop. The club won the CBA championship last season, claiming its first league title in 24 years and adding another major name to a team historically associated with Yao Ming.
For Russell, the move could offer something increasingly difficult to guarantee at the NBA level: a prominent role. Instead of competing for limited minutes, he enters a CBA environment where his experience and playmaking could become central to Shanghai’s plans.
That distinction matters for veteran players. A move overseas does not necessarily represent the end of a career. It can provide meaningful minutes, leadership responsibilities and another opportunity to remain an important professional basketball player.
China has welcomed NBA veterans before
Russell follows a long list of NBA veterans who have played in China. Tracy McGrady, Stephon Marbury, Jimmer Fredette, Michael Beasley, Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer and Andray Blatche are among the recognizable names who continued their careers in the CBA.
Marbury became one of the clearest examples of how successful that second chapter could become. After his NBA career, he spent 9 years playing in China and developed into a major basketball figure there, eventually becoming closely associated with Beijing basketball.
The attraction therefore has precedent. China can offer former NBA players an opportunity to remain professional athletes while also placing them in a basketball market where established American names can generate significant interest among local fans.
The trend is bigger than one signing
Russell is not the only former NBA player joining Shanghai this season. Veteran center JaVale McGee signed with the Sharks on Oct. 1, adding another player with extensive NBA experience to the club’s international roster.
Other former NBA players also joined Chinese teams during the 2026 offseason. Lindy Waters III signed with the Beijing Ducks, while Jalen Adams returned to the CBA with the Sichuan Blue Whales after previous spells in China.
That does not mean NBA players are leaving the league for China in large numbers. The more accurate picture is that China continues to function as a viable destination for selected players whose NBA opportunities have become uncertain.
The NBA connection with China remains strong
The relationship between the NBA and China extends beyond players signing CBA contracts. In 2025, the NBA returned to China for preseason games for the first time since 2019, with the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets meeting in Macao.
The 2025 NBA China Games featured 2 preseason matchups at The Venetian Arena. Phoenix won the opener 132-127 in overtime, while Brooklyn took the second game 111-109, marking a notable return for NBA basketball in the region.
NBA players have also continued visiting China for basketball and cultural activities. In 2025, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama spent time at a Shaolin temple in Zhengzhou during the NBA offseason, showing the relationship can extend beyond conventional promotional appearances.
Chinese basketball provides a different opportunity
The CBA can offer veterans a different professional environment from the NBA. Players accustomed to NBA competition can bring their experience to teams seeking scoring, leadership, and international exposure, while clubs gain players with proven high-level backgrounds.
For an established guard such as Russell, the challenge will be adapting to a new league, new teammates, and different expectations. His NBA résumé gives him credibility, but success in China will ultimately depend on what he produces on the court.
There is also a developmental connection moving in the opposite direction. Chinese prospects increasingly view the NBA as an attainable destination, illustrated by Yang Hansen becoming the 9th player from China drafted into the NBA in 2025.
China remains part of basketball’s global expansion
The movement of players between the NBA and China reflects basketball’s increasingly international structure. The NBA reported a record 135 international players from 43 countries on 2025-26 opening-night rosters, showing how talent now moves across borders in both directions.
China remains particularly significant because of its established basketball infrastructure, large fan base, and history with NBA stars. The presence of recognizable former players can help maintain interest while giving clubs experienced talent for competitive seasons.
The relationship also benefits players who want to extend their careers. Rather than measuring success only by staying in the NBA, veterans can pursue meaningful roles in other professional leagues and continue building their basketball legacy.
Russell could become the latest China success story
It is too early to know what Russell’s tenure with Shanghai will produce. His NBA career has included an All-Star season, playoff experience, and more than 600 regular-season games, giving him a substantial résumé before his first CBA appearance.
His situation is also different from players who moved to China late in their careers. At 30, Russell is still young enough to potentially return to the NBA if his performance, health, and market value align with future opportunities.
For now, though, China gives Russell a fresh stage. His signing, combined with other veteran arrivals and the NBA’s continuing engagement with the country, shows that the basketball relationship between the two markets remains active.
Fun fact: The 2025 NBA China Games marked the 15th edition of the event, which began in 2004. By the end of the 2025 event, the series had featured 28 NBA preseason games in China.
TL;DR
- D’Angelo Russell signed with the Shanghai Sharks after 11 NBA seasons.
- Russell averaged 17.0 points and 5.6 assists across 655 NBA games.
- Shanghai won the CBA championship last season.
- Other former NBA players are also joining Chinese teams.
- China has a long history of attracting recognizable NBA veterans.
- The NBA also returned to China for preseason games in 2025.
- Russell’s CBA move could provide a major role and another career opportunity.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
