Seeing Magic Johnson sink into thought, Chen Yilun let out a cold laugh inside.
That look on Magic Johnson's face meant his proposal was already halfway accepted.
This time, Chen Yilun had come to talk to Magic Johnson partly to sort out his own draft picks, and partly to see if he could pick up a bargain from the Lakers.
Zubac was one of his key targets on this trip.
Although Zubac was still a near-invisible player averaging under ten minutes a game, he would soon develop into a high-quality pick-and-roll big and rebounder.
With that in mind, Chen Yilun didn't mind grabbing him early.
The Kings' current backup center, Oden, was playing well, but he had already missed his best development window. And once big men start aging, the drop-off is irreversible.
Let Zubac come in as the third-string center now; once Oden can't hold up anymore, Zubac slides right in. Beautiful.
"I can accept the general framework of the trade. But Zubac is part of our rotation. If you take him, we'll have a gap at center. So I need to add some protection to that first-round pick I'm giving you."
"Add whatever protection you want."
Chen Yilun nearly jumped up to scold Magic Johnson.
"He's just a second-rounder—two years in and hasn't shown anything! Why are you acting like he's some kind of priceless treasure? And you're saying you've got no centers? You have five centers and claim you can't use one? Reed can't play center for you? Don't give me that crap!"
Magic Johnson burst out laughing at that.
"Well, it's different. He still has a bit of development value."
"If he had no value, I wouldn't even want him."
Chen Yilun curled his lip and continued.
"You want a draft pick, you have to pay something. I'm not interested in just a delayed first-round pick."
"Oh boy."
Magic Johnson shook his head with a bitter smile. "Yilun, my dear Yilun, you really don't want to lose even a little, do you? Fine!"
He slowly closed the notebook in front of him.
"But with only a late first-round pick, that's not enough for all the assets you're sending over. I need to tack on something. Didn't you sell that second-round pick in the 45–60 range? I want the remaining part."
"No way."
Chen Yilun rejected the proposal flatly.
"That draft pick is still useful. If you really want a second-rounder, I can give you the Spurs' 45–60 slot."
"Hahahaha—"
For some reason, Magic Johnson suddenly burst out laughing.
"I remember what you said before."
After finishing his laugh, Magic Johnson continued, "Who was it you roasted? Saying someone was being stingy about adding protections to a second-round pick? Be generous and hand it over—I'll even remember the favor!"
Chen Yilun froze. He never imagined this boomerang would come back and smack him in the face.
Awkwardly rubbing his nose, he nodded with a smile.
"Fine, fine. I don't need that Spurs second-rounder anymore. It's yours, it's yours. Consider it a favor to you, Magic Johnson."
The two finally reached an agreement. And Magic Johnson couldn't help feeling a little emotional.
He really had fallen far. Back in his glory days, he could get anything he wanted. Now he had to smile and beg Chen Yilun for a second-round pick.
Still, at least he completed the mission—this year the Lakers would have both first- and second-round picks to select from. As for the 2021 first-round pick?
With the young talent on this roster, by 2021 they'd have broken out—by then that pick wouldn't be worth much.
And for Zubac—well, the team already had more first-rounders than they could develop. Sending him to Chen Yilun didn't hurt much.
"By the way, Yilun."
As he was packing up to leave, Magic Johnson suddenly asked,
"If you're free these next couple of days, want to hit a party?"
"A party?"
Chen Yilun froze, an uneasy feeling rising in his chest.
"Yeah, it's All-Star weekend. Tons of stars and celebrities are coming to LA, even big political figures. Local LA celebs are throwing parties for everyone to mingle.
You know Diddy, right? His parties are the best."
"No, no, no, no!"
Chen Yilun waved frantically, visibly repulsed.
"Are you trying to ruin this book?!"
"No interest. I've got another meeting later. Really don't have time."
He bolted out of the conference room like he was escaping.
Watching him flee, Magic Johnson tilted his head in confusion.
"What's with him? Running like he saw a ghost."
Back then, Diddy's parties were famous—everyone wanted an invite. Why was Chen Yilun acting like it was a monster?
"Maybe,"
Luke Walton said after thinking a moment, "maybe Chen Yilun doesn't want to be associated with political circles here."
"Oh, right, right!"
Magic Johnson nodded, suddenly enlightened. "I didn't consider that. I'll invite him again when there aren't any politicians around."
"Boss, why aren't you going to that party? Diddy's parties are huge,"
Prince asked, walking beside Chen Yilun, confused.
I don't want to see muscular dudes in maid costumes.
Chen Yilun cursed internally. These guys play way too freaky. No chance I'm going.
"Forget that. What's San Antonio's stance?"
He changed the subject instantly.
"Buford is still sticking to Green plus a future first-round pick. Nothing else."
Prince added, "Boss, we already have a ton of perimeter guys. Sure, we need to move LeVert, but trading him for just a first-round pick and taking on Green's bloated contract? Still feels like a loss to me."
"Who said we're trading with the Spurs?"
Chen Yilun's sudden comment left Prince stunned.
"Not trading with the Spurs? Then why did you keep going back and forth with them earlier?"
"Everyone plays their part."
As they walked outside, Chen Yilun tightened his coat.
"If not for the Spurs angle, how would I justify giving LeVert more touches? I needed to boost his visibility."
"So we're still trading?"
"Trade? Of course we're trading."
A faint smile crossed Chen Yilun's face.
"We definitely need to. After Young left, we still need wing help. Zubac won't contribute right away. We must strengthen the roster."
"So who do we look at?"
"Our own people."
Chen Yilun hurried ahead, opened the car door, and got in.
"Philadelphia. They need potential, we need immediate help. And Brother Brett's situation is a tangly mess—he's overwhelmed. We'll go over and help him sort it out."