"You need financial backing? How much?" Ranadive's smile slowly faded as he lifted his teacup and took a small sip.
"About eight million in cap space," Chen Yilun said after a brief pause.
Eight million today isn't what it will be a few years from now, when $20+ million contracts are commonplace. Back in 2015, the league's luxury tax threshold was only $76.829 million. At the time, the Kings' biggest salaries belonged to Gay at $19.32 million and Cousins at $13.7 million.
Since this was Gay's final contract year—and he'd exercised his player option before the season began—the Kings were stuck with nearly $20 million on their books. For comparison, Kevin Love over in Cleveland was making just $15.72 million that season.
"Fallout from the team's earlier bad decisions?" Ranadive asked, giving him a sharp look.
The Gay trade had gone down before Chen Yilun arrived, so it made sense he was now asking for help with the contract weighing him down.
"Can't we just trade him?" Ranadive asked.
"I wish," Chen Yilun said with a wry smile. "The problem is—who's going to take that deal?"
Twenty million could buy a lot of things—why would another GM spend it on Gay? Nobody in this league is that naive. And if Chen Yilun tried, those shrewd, cutthroat executives around the league would make sure to bleed the Kings dry.
Ranadive thought for a moment. "Alright, but you have to guarantee we'll still be making money next season like we are now. If the team keeps this momentum, eight million is worth it."
"Go ahead. I wouldn't mind another surprise from you," Ranadive added with a sly grin.
Seeing that he'd gotten what he wanted, Chen Yilun didn't waste a second. "Trust me, boss. Follow the plan, and in under two years, I'll hand you a team that can truly compete for a championship."
…
Just as he stepped out of Ranadive's house, the cold, mechanical voice of the system rang in his head:
"Host has completed the task: Opening the season with five straight wins. Issuing reward. Would you like to draw now?"
"Draw."
A beginner's boost gift pack appeared in the void before him. Without hesitation, he made his choice.
A flash of white light.
"Ding! Congratulations, host—you have obtained the 'Restore Health Card.'"
The card read: Restore one player to full health. Once bound, it cannot be changed.
Restore a player's health? His mind raced. If the card worked the way he hoped, it could be game-breaking. Too many prodigies had seen their careers derailed by injuries—this could give one of them a second chance.
Before he could get carried away, the system spoke again:
Normal Task: Make an in-season trade graded at least A+.
Reward: Random Silver Badge
Challenge Task: Get at least two players into this year's All-Star Game.
Reward: Intermediate Boost Gift Pack
Challenge Task: Lead the Kings to the playoffs.
Reward: Top Boost Gift Pack + Random Badge
Challenge Task: Win the 2014–2015 NBA Executive of the Year Award.
Reward: Ace Manager Badge
The first two challenge tasks were unchanged, but now there was one extra normal task and another challenge. The normal task fit perfectly into his plans.
Chen Yilun immediately called Raptors GM Masai Ujiri.
The second the call connected, Ujiri's voice shot through:
"Not for sale! Doesn't matter the price—nothing's for sale!"
"Hold on, I haven't even said anything yet!"
"Doesn't matter—you're not getting it!" Ujiri said, idly spinning a ballpoint pen at his desk. "Don't think I don't know what you're after. You're trying to get us to buy Gay back, aren't you? Forget it. He's not even worth a draft pick right now."
Busted—damn it.
Chen Yilun cursed inwardly. Ujiri was notorious for being a hard-nosed GM—he was the one who had sent Gay to Sacramento last year for a pile of solid assets. Chen Yilun was just testing the waters, but Ujiri wasn't biting.
"So… no deal?"
"Unless you're offering Cousins or CJ, don't even bother. I'm not interested in anyone else on your roster."
Right now, Cousins and CJ were the Kings' top scorers. Gay had dropped to the third option—his midrange isolation game and drives to the rim just weren't efficient in the Kings' current system. For the sake of winning, Coach Malone hadn't hesitated to cut his role.
"What about Mozgov?"
When one plan failed, Chen Yilun immediately tried another.
"Mozgov?" Ujiri's pen stopped spinning. "Go on."
It wasn't surprising that Ujiri was intrigued. Last season, after moving Gay, the Raptors had fully committed to the Lowry–DeRozan core and successfully retooled.
But to get further in the playoffs, they still had a mountain to climb in the East: the Cavaliers.
Against Cleveland's Big Three, Toronto's roster still looked thin. Under Malone's guidance, Mozgov was averaging 8.5 points and 11.5 rebounds as a defensive anchor. Sure, it was early and the numbers might be a bit inflated, but he was showing the potential to become a top-tier blue-collar center.
"What do you want for him?" Ujiri asked cautiously.
"With a big man like that holding down the paint, the Cavs would think twice before attacking inside."
"Not much—just give me Valanciunas, and throw in a little extra," Chen Yilun said casually.
"Valanciunas? And extra?" Ujiri's head practically buzzed.
Valanciunas had seized the starting center spot last season and become a key piece of the Raptors' core.
"You think I'd give you him for Mozgov? No way!" Ujiri snapped.
"Then at least give me Ben—or at the very least, Ray. Otherwise, no deal."
"You still want Ben? Absolutely not!" Chen Yilun shot back, heat rising in his face.
The call ended badly—no surprise when both sides were out to take advantage.
Of course, Chen Yilun hadn't really expected to make a trade. If he could somehow upgrade Mozgov into Valanciunas, he'd take it in a heartbeat, but Ujiri wasn't stupid—the odds were zero.
His real goal was simple: let the league know the Kings were open for business—and anyone interested should come knocking.
Otherwise, he'd have to make every call himself, and that would be exhausting.
In a league like this, keeping secrets was a luxury. Soon, rumors spread—no names confirmed, but Mozgov, Casspi, and several bench players were all mentioned as possible trade chips.
…
By then, Chen Yilun was already on a flight to New York.
He had two things on his agenda. First, meet with the Nets and Knicks—two struggling franchises stuck in their own mess, perfect for bargain hunting.
Second, and most important—meet someone in person.
It was already winter in New York by November. Wrapped tightly in his coat, Chen Yilun navigated the streets quickly, turning left and right until he reached his destination: a player rehabilitation center.
After explaining his purpose, the front desk clerk looked slightly puzzled. "Yes, Mr. Chen. He's upstairs doing rehab. You can go right up."
Thanking her, Chen Yilun headed to the second floor.
The "rehabilitation center" looked more like a fully equipped gym. Near the window, a massive figure was working out on a machine.
"Hello, I'm Chen Yilun, General Manager of the Kings. I believe you know who I am."
The machine powered down with a beep. Even seated, the tall black man was nearly eye level with Chen Yilun. He gave him a curious look. "Of course I know you. The league's full of stories about you. What brings you here?"
"I want to give you another chance… Greg Oden."
And there it was—the spark returning to the eyes of the man once hailed as a prodigy, the 2007 No. 1 overall pick who had been chosen ahead of Durant and Horford.
---
For more chapters and to support the series, follow me on Ptreon (40+ Chapters Ahead!)
p-atreon.com/GhostParser (remove the dash in "p-atreon" to access the site)