Many fans first started paying attention during that Nuggets–Jazz playoff series, when Murray and Mitchell went head-to-head in an all-out scoring war. But it wasn't until the 2023 championship run that they truly entered the spotlight.
Chen Yilun, however, had been watching long before that.
Earlier this year, he had even debated whether to package some draft picks to trade for the Nuggets' pick—continuing his collection of team bonds. But after thinking it over, he decided to give up on the idea.
Come on!
With the future's top shooting guard Booker, the "Crown Prince" Murray, and Van Jordan already on his roster, why go out of his way to chase another Murray?
Still, without Jokić, this version of Murray seemed quite different from the one in history.
Originally, since he needed to run a two-man game with Jokić, Murray started bulking up after entering the league, taking the path of a heavier, power-style guard. In that sense, Murray and Jokić were a perfect match.
Because of Jokić's presence, the team couldn't play at a fast pace—a style that just so happened to be Murray's weakness. With Jokić drawing defenders, Murray could easily find open looks or go into isolation. That was also why, in later years, people often questioned his ability to lead a team on his own.
Now, though, this Murray looked far less bulky—almost thin, even. Without Jokić as the team's cornerstone, he'd clearly had to shed weight and boost his mobility.
Who knows? Maybe taking a different path would lead to an entirely different future for him.
...
The day after the Rookie Challenge came the various skills contests.
In the Skills Challenge, CJ first defeated his former teammate DeMarcus Cousins, then went on to beat the Heat's Kristaps Porziņģis in the final round, finally lifting the trophy he'd long dreamed of winning.
Watching CJ raise the trophy, Chen Yilun felt genuinely happy for him. The event might not attract much attention, but it was CJ's first competition after his All-Star debut, and he'd been fixated on winning it ever since. Finally claiming the title was like crossing something big off his list—a burden lifted.
After two days of warm-ups, the highly anticipated All-Star Game officially began.
"What do you think of this outfit?"
In Malone's hotel room, the old man was holding up two suits, comparing them back and forth.
"Aren't those basically the same?" Chen Yilun said, puzzled.
"Talking to you is like playing the violin to a cow." Malone waved the suits dramatically. "This one's gray, and this one's haze gray!"
"What's the difference?!"
Chen Yilun felt like he'd been dragged back to his past life, stuck waiting while his wife compared outfits during a shopping trip. The difference was—his wife had been gorgeous, so he could endure it.
But this forty-something white old man? Not a chance.
Chen stood up without hesitation. "Figure it out yourself. I've got things to take care of."
Without listening to Malone's protests, he turned and walked out.
In truth, Chen didn't have anything urgent to do. The team was already in good shape. With the trade deadline approaching, there was no need to overcomplicate things by making unnecessary moves.
What he didn't realize, though, was that while he'd decided to stay put, the rest of the league wasn't slowing down for him.
Several General Managers had already begun intense negotiations in New Orleans.
Inside a conference room, Buford sat back with a faint smirk, watching the young man across from him speak nonstop. The man didn't seem to notice Buford's disinterest, continuing to passionately pitch his player.
"He's such a great young prospect—still on his rookie contract. With Duncan retired and you missing out on Gasol this summer, he'd be the perfect fit for your team."
Across from Buford sat the 76ers' newly appointed General Manager, Bryan Colangelo.
His predecessor, Sam Hinkie, was the very man who had built the "Trust the Process" era.
Under Hinkie's leadership, the 76ers hadn't even reached 20 wins in back-to-back seasons. Facing mounting public pressure, team owner Josh Harris grew increasingly dissatisfied.
By the end of 2015, he brought in Jerry Colangelo as the team's President of Basketball Operations—a position equal to Chen Yilun's.
Jerry Colangelo was no ordinary man.
A heavyweight in the league since the David Stern era, he had managed multiple teams before moving into top-level league management. He'd been the GM of the "Redeem Team" and had served as chairman of several league committees. He also played a key role in bringing Canada's Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies into the NBA.
With such a legendary figure stepping in, Hinkie quickly realized that the owner was preparing to cast him aside. Before the end of the regular season, he resigned on his own terms.
The current GM of the 76ers, Bryan Colangelo, was Jerry's son.
Compared to his father's illustrious resume, Bryan's career could only be described as lackluster. His current position was clearly the result of his father's influence.
Facing such an opponent, Buford could barely feign interest.
"Bryan, let's be straight with each other," Buford finally said, gesturing for him to stop talking.
"I know you're trying to move Jahlil Okafor, but let me be clear—forget the two first-round picks you're asking for. To me, he's not even worth one."
As if worried Bryan might take it the wrong way, Buford quickly added, "This isn't me lowballing you—it's my honest evaluation. Two second-round picks. If you want it, we'll make the deal right now. If not, let's not waste each other's time."
Bryan's face turned red as all the words he'd been preparing stuck in his throat.
"This is an insulting offer!" he finally blurted out after a long silence.
"If that's how you feel, then please see yourselves out. The deadline's approaching, and everyone's busy."
Buford motioned toward the door, signaling for the 76ers' group to leave.
"Hmph!"
Bryan snorted loudly, hastily straightened the papers on the table, and stormed out without looking back.
An overweight older man sitting beside him glanced at Buford, gave a helpless smile, and began packing up his things.
That man was Brett Brown, the 76ers' current head coach—and unsurprisingly, another product of the Spurs' system.
The two had avoided speaking to each other throughout the meeting to prevent any appearance of bias, but that didn't stop Bryan from completely ruining the trade on his own.
"What a mess," Buford muttered after the 76ers' group left.
"With that hyena Yilun around, all the old foxes can't help but crawl out of their holes. This year's trade deadline is going to be anything but peaceful."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser