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D'Angelo Russell Heads to China After Brief Grizzlies Stint
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- D'Angelo Russell Heads to China After Brief Grizzlies Stint
(Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
D'Angelo Russell's time with the Memphis Grizzlies came to a quick end, and he is headed to China after a brief free-agent stint.
Memphis waived Russell and signed Brendan Hausen on Sept. 25. The Ohio State product later agreed to sign with the Shanghai Sharks for the upcoming season, per the Chinese Basketball Association .
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The 30-year-old guard will use this stint in China to play on a team where he can be featured and hope to gain interest from NBA teams. The Washington Wizards traded him to Memphis in July, but there were no long-term plans for him once he arrived.
Russell Looks to Rebuild His Value Overseas
While Russell is only 30 years old, the Grizzlies are in a rebuild and want to ensure that specific pieces are built around the team. He played 11 NBA seasons before being cut.
Last season, Russell played 26 games with the Dallas Mavericks after signing a two-year contract with the franchise. He was brought in to provide some minutes at the point guard position while guard Kyrie Irving recovered from injury.
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Russell averaged 10.2 points, four assists, and 2.3 rebounds while shooting a career-low 29.5% from three. He was traded to the Wizards after he lost minutes in the rotation under then-head coach Jason Kidd .
Often, NBA players will play overseas to reinvent themselves and continue the grind of being a professional basketball player. Over the years, Gilbert Arenas , Michael Beasley , Eric Bledsoe , and Delonte West have played with the Sharks.
However, Beasley was the only player among that group to receive another opportunity in the NBA after going overseas.
Memphis Moves Forward Without Its Previous Core
This season will be the first time that the franchise suits up without guards Desmond Bane and Ja Morant , and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. . All three were traded away from the team within the last 15 months.
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Morant, Jackson Jr., and Bane helped this franchise clinch two No. 2 overall seeds from 2021 to 2023.
Even though there is no solidified starting lineup, the team's projected starting lineup could include guard Ty Jerome , guard Jaylen Wells , forward Cedric Coward , forward Cameron Boozer , and center Zach Edey .
Zach Edey's Health Remains Key to the Rebuild
Boozer will be the new face of the franchise and will need the help of the team's role players, along with his frontcourt mate, Edey, whose health has been a concern.
Edey played 77 games over his first two NBA seasons. With the franchise moving on from Morant and Jackson Jr., Edey will need to remain healthy to help his team develop and win.
