Lakers Champion Joins D'Angelo Russell In Major Move to China

After 11 years in the NBA, D'Angelo Russell is heading to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) for the first time in his professional career. He signed with the Shanghai Sharks on September 30, just five days after his NBA exit on September 25. The Memphis Grizzlies waived Russell earlier this summer following a trade from the Dallas Mavericks.

Apparently, the Sharks didn't stop with Russell this offseason. They also acquired former NBA star JaVale McGee. The Score reported on Instagram that, as of Oct. 1, McGee is set to sign with the Sharks.

"JaVale McGee is signing with the Shanghai Sharks," the post reads.

For those unaware, this isn't McGee's first stint in the CBA. Earlier in February, the veteran big man signed a contract with the Beijing Ducks for the 2025-26 season. He then made a late debut in March.

Interestingly, this will be the first time McGee and Russell become teammates on a basketball team. Throughout their tenures in the NBA, McGee and Russell never had the opportunity to share the hardwood. Despite playing for the same teams throughout their careers, they've never been on the same side.

It'll be interesting to see how lethal their duo will be in the CBA, especially since they've both played at the highest level in the NBA. McGee is a former champion with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Meanwhile, Russell has experience playing alongside NBA legends like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. With that type of experience under their belts, the Sharks are surely in for a treat.

Shanghai Sharks Could Go Back-to-Back With the Addition of D'Angelo Russell and JaVale McGee

Earlier in June, the Shanghai Sharks claimed victory in the CBA Finals after beating the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions. This is the Sharks' first CBA championship in 24 years. The last time they won the title was in the 2001-02 season, when NBA legend Yao Ming led them to a championship.

This time around, former NBA player Brandon Goodwin led the charge after winning the Finals MVP award. Goodwin was a beast throughout five games.

In Game 1, he had a huge double-double performance, putting up 34 points and 12 assists. In Game 4, he scored 28 points in 40 minutes of play. He then sealed the deal in Game 5, adding 25 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.

While the Sharks have proven to be the best team in the 2025-26 season, led by a player who has only played four years in the NBA, the landscape is about to change for them in the 2026-27 season. This is because of the addition of D'Angelo Russell and JaVale McGee.

Russell is a former NBA All-Star, while McGee is a three-time NBA champion. Their experience will undoubtedly prove to be more than useful for the Sharks heading into the next season.

The 2026-27 CBA season is set to commence on Oct. 16. Given the amount of talent the Sharks have brought in, Shanghai fans could be looking forward to another title run.