The high-stakes journey of an NBA journeyman through trades and scandals
In short: From a second overall draft pick to the Chinese Basketball Association, D'Angelo Russell's career is a whirlwind of blockbuster trades, record-breaking scoring nights, and even a social media scandal that reportedly influenced his departure from Los Angeles.
D'Angelo Russell, known as 'DLo', entered the NBA in 2015 as a highly touted prospect. After a standout freshman season at Ohio State—where he became the first freshman in program history to record a triple-double—he was selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. His early years in Los Angeles were marked by significant milestones, including breaking Nick Van Exel's rookie record for three-pointers in a single game and earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2016.
However, his tenure with the Lakers was not without drama. In 2017, Russell was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Former Lakers executive Magic Johnson later suggested that a Snapchat incident involving Russell and teammate Nick Young played a role in the decision to move him. During his time in Brooklyn, Russell reached new heights, earning his first All-Star selection in 2019 and setting franchise records for scoring in a single quarter.
The subsequent years saw Russell move through several iconic franchises. He joined the Golden State Warriors in a sign-and-trade for Kevin Durant, later moving to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2020. His career has been characterized by frequent movement: returning to the Lakers in 2023 to win the inaugural NBA Cup, before later stints with the Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards, and Memphis Grizzlies. As of late 2026, Russell has taken his talents to the Shanghai Sharks in the CBA, continuing a career defined by constant adaptation and high-level scoring ability.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: D'Angelo Russell
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