For years, “go play in China” has been one of the internet’s go-to jokes anytime D’Angelo Russell had an inefficient night. A meme built on his up-and-down NBA career despite flashes of real scoring talent. That joke just became reality. Days after being waived by the Memphis Grizzlies, Russell reportedly agreed to sign with the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association, officially ending an 11-year NBA run that started as the No. 2 overall pick in 2015.
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The move caps a rough stretch for Russell. He was traded from Washington to Memphis this offseason only to be waived before ever playing a game for the Grizzlies, with the team eating his $5.9 million salary in the process.
Reports indicated that D’Angelo Russell had hoped to catch on with an NBA playoff contender first. But with limited league-wide interest in the 30-year-old guard, he’ll instead become Shanghai’s new franchise point guard for the 2026-27 season, his first experience playing professionally outside the United States.
Fans’ reaction on Instagram leaned heavily toward one theme: Russell is about to feast statistically and financially in his new league. “People r gonna laugh but he is gonna get PAID!!!!” one fan wrote. A fair prediction given CBA teams are known for paying top import players well above what struggling NBA veterans often earn on minimum deals.
Others predicted a scoring explosion once Russell settles in. “Bout to drop 30 and 10 easy,” one comment read, while another added, “He’ll be a star there. Good move for him to be honest.”
That projection lines up with how the CBA has historically treated skilled American imports. Smooth scorers with Russell’s shot-making have routinely posted inflated numbers against the league’s competition level, following a pattern set by past import stars who dominated CBA box scores.
A few fans framed the move as a legitimate fresh start rather than a step down. “Big move for DLo — hopefully he gets a fresh start and dominates in Shanghai,” one fan wrote, echoing the sentiment that a change of scenery could help Russell rebuild value after his role diminished across stops in Washington, Dallas, and Memphis over the past two seasons.
Not every reaction focused on Russell. One fan joked about what it means for Shanghai’s existing roster: “Imagine being a bench player for the Shanghai Sharks. Wild,” poking fun at how a former NBA All-Star and No. 2 pick instantly reshapes the pecking order for any player already on the team.
Whether Russell’s stint in China becomes a stepping stone back to the NBA or the start of a longer international chapter remains to be seen. But based on the reaction so far, fans are largely betting on him putting up the kind of numbers that make this move look more like an opportunity than a fall from grace.