"True, judging by Chen Yilun's trade direction and strategy, his ambition likely goes beyond winning just one championship. But why would you rate this deal an A+?"
Barkley, noticing the discussion drifting off-topic, cut in to bring it back.
"Let's look at what the Kings actually gave up."
O'Neal went through the list one by one.
"On the surface, a 7-for-1 trade looks like a huge sacrifice. But if you take a closer look, a lot of that seven is just filler."
"First, the Kings' mid-level exception—this was always going to be included. If it hadn't been, then Thaddeus Young or Rudy Gay would've had to be added just to balance salaries. By using the exception, the Kings actually saved a rotation player. And the cash? That's the least valuable thing in the league."
"Now, let's move on to the other five assets. LaVine has undeniably played well this season—especially after CJ's injury, when he absorbed a chunk of CJ McCollum's workload. But my stance hasn't changed: the sample size is too small. I still have serious doubts about LaVine's long-term potential."
"That leaves the four draft picks."
O'Neal counted on his fingers. "The most valuable is the unprotected 2019 first-round pick. Its exact position is still uncertain, but the league agrees that 2018 and 2019 will be rare back-to-back draft bonanzas. The future value of that pick could be enormous."
"But there's a detail here—I don't know if you noticed it."
Barkley jumped in. "The Kings clearly hold multiple first-round picks, but every pick in this deal was their own. They didn't include the Knicks' pick or the Wizards' pick in the trade."
"That's a good point."
O'Neal thought for a moment. "Normally, when teams trade draft picks, they prioritize giving up the ones they've acquired from other teams. Chen Yilun did the opposite. The only explanation I see is that he has absolute confidence in the Kings' future."
"After all, the Kings hold the Bird rights to CJ McCollum, Jokić, Booker, and Ben. If these guys continue developing, Sacramento is going to be a contender in the West for years to come."
"If that's the case," Barkley leaned in, intrigued, "then essentially the Kings traded LaVine, a late first-rounder, a swap right that might never be used, and two throw-in second-rounders… for Butler?"
"Exactly. Now you understand why I gave this deal an A+."
O'Neal shot Barkley a sly grin.
...
While Barkley and O'Neal were dissecting the blockbuster deal, Chen Yilun and Malone were already waiting at Sacramento Airport.
"I swear, I just got back and you drag me here again. The staff already know me by name." Chen Yilun shivered in his beige coat.
"Unbelievable. No air conditioning in an airport this big?"
"Why couldn't you, the head coach, handle this yourself? Why drag me along?"
He let out a yawn.
"Go ask anyone in the league right now—they'll all say you're the real boss of this team." Malone gave him a scolding look as he fidgeted restlessly.
"My big-shot Manager Chen, you're on another level now. Usually only veterans like Pat Riley or Danny Ainge have that kind of clout. And you've managed to reach their level in just two years."
"With great power comes great responsibility!"
The arrivals gate was packed—not just with Chen Yilun and Malone, but also with fans and reporters waiting for the big arrival.
Facing dozens of cameras, Chen Yilun shifted uncomfortably. He was used to pulling the strings from behind the curtain, not standing under the spotlight.
"He's here! He's here!"
A shout rang out, and the crowd surged forward.
Chen Yilun and Malone exchanged a glance and walked side by side toward the commotion.
The airport staff on duty recognized them and stepped aside without question.
A burly African American man walked out, dressed in a black hoodie, a knit cap, and headphones.
"Jimmy! Welcome to Sacramento!"
Malone hurried forward, reaching out with his left hand.
Jimmy Butler slipped off his headphones and shook Malone's hand firmly.
After a few words of greeting, Malone stepped aside. "This is our General Manager, Chen Yilun. You'll be working closely with him from now on."
Butler seemed surprised that both of the team's top decision-makers had come to greet him. His cautious eyes flickered with confusion, then gratitude. After years of being treated as an afterthought in Chicago, someone was finally showing him respect.
His rough childhood had made him both resilient and wary of others.
But Chen Yilun, with his knowledge of Butler's background, understood what Butler valued most: respect.
His past had given him a pride that ran deeper than most could imagine.
"Don't worry, Jimmy," Chen Yilun finally spoke. "From this moment on, this is your team."
The words exploded in Butler's mind like a bomb.
"Our goal this year is the Western Conference Finals. But this team is young and inexperienced—we need you to lead them."
Butler felt his head spin. After years in Chicago, was he really about to become the leader of a playoff contender? It was a life-changing moment.
After chatting briefly at the airport, Chen Yilun and Malone brought Butler to the temporary apartment arranged for him.
"You just got here, so take a couple days to rest. Don't suit up for tomorrow's game."
The words had barely left Malone's mouth when Butler leapt off the couch.
"What?! Coach, I don't need rest! Please—let me play tomorrow."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser