Chen Yilun walked into the Staples Center wearing sunglasses. Today was the first day of All-Star Weekend, featuring the Celebrity Challenge and the Rising Stars Challenge.
Since only one Kings rookie—Dillon—had been selected this year, Chen Yilun wasn't particularly excited about the games. But, as always, he refused to sit in the league-assigned seats and instead bought himself a ticket in the nosebleeds.
"Man, this is expensive. Even upper-deck seats cost this much?"
Settling into his seat, Chen Yilun couldn't help but complain. If his own team's tickets ever sold for this price, he'd probably wake up laughing in the middle of the night.
"Different story in L.A. Big city!"
Blackstone chuckled beside him.
"How's Philly treating you?"
Chen Yilun asked casually.
"Better than I expected,"
Blackstone replied.
"With Brett and Mike backing me, I've got enough room to operate. The owner knows the team's situation and isn't tying my hands too much. Pretty good days, honestly."
"That's good to hear."
Chen Yilun waved a vendor over, bought a cup of juice, and sipped it slowly.
"So, any progress on the thing I mentioned before?"
"Yeah."
Blackstone glanced at him—this guy was still as stingy as ever, buying juice without even thinking to get one for him.
"Mike is really interested in LeVert. Thinks he could help patch our perimeter firepower."
This year's first overall pick, Markelle Fultz, had followed the long-standing Philadelphia tradition of high-drafted prospects going sideways—he was already sidelined with injuries.
Meanwhile, Ben Simmons' lack of shooting had compressed the team's spacing into a choke point, making perimeter reinforcements Blackstone's top priority.
LeVert's ability to handle the ball and shoot—the perfect combo guard skillset—fit the 76ers' needs almost too well. And since LeVert had originally been developed by Brown and Malone, Brown was immediately intrigued when he heard Chen Yilun was open to trading him.
"You know my price, right?"
Chen Yilun said while watching the court below, where the Celebrity Challenge was about to begin.
There was another reason he was sitting up in the rafters this year—last year he'd nearly been caught by someone,
so this time, he intended to stay as far away as possible.
"Robert Covington isn't out of the question, but adding a draft pick on top of that makes things difficult."
Blackstone didn't hesitate before starting his counter.
During their online talks earlier, Chen Yilun had made a huge opening demand: the 76ers' backup wing Robert Covington, plus a late first-round pick.
Covington had started 67 games last year, averaging nearly 13 points. Though his numbers dipped this season after the guillotine joined the team, he was still a dependable 10-points-per-game contributor.
Trading a rookie averaging just 14 points for Covington and a first-round pick? Philly wasn't thrilled.
"So what do you suggest? Doesn't matter to me—it's all our own team anyway. Just shifting things from the left hand to the right."
Chen Yilun stayed completely relaxed, a huge contrast to how he'd sparred with Magic Johnson days earlier.
After all, the 76ers' front office was now under his remote control. If LeVert had to be traded, better he go to a team run by his own people. Whether the return was great or not didn't bother him.
He'd already made a fortune off one deal after another; Chen Yilun knew to leave a little meat on the bone for his people.
And although he controlled the 76ers from afar, he wasn't physically there. Blackstone still had needs of his own. Giving him something to help strengthen his influence within the team might seem like a small loss now, but long-term, it was a solid investment.
"Then forget the first-rounder."
Chen Yilun said without thinking.
"Just give me a symbolic second-round pick. I won't even use all my picks later—I'll pass a few along to you."
"So you still want one of my second-rounders."
Blackstone grinned, not agreeing just yet.
"It's not for nothing."
Chen Yilun tipped his head back and finished his juice. "You guys still have draft picks this year. How about I pick a good player for you?"
"That works!"
Blackstone's eyes lit up instantly. Who in the league didn't know how sharp Chen Yilun's talent radar was? Players he picked almost never flopped.
"If that's the deal, I'm in. How about a 2023 second-rounder?"
"Deal."
Chen Yilun reached out again and bought another bucket of popcorn, eating as he spoke.
"And don't worry about the draft picks. I'll see if I can loop you into a three-team deal and get you some more. If you want another second-rounder—nothing too early—I'll even sell it to you outright for cash."
"Understood!"
Hearing that, Blackstone finally felt at ease. In this league, connections were everything.
Others might fight tooth and nail for something, but with Chen Yilun backing him, he only needed to ask.
"Rest assured, boss—so long as we're here, you call the shots on personnel in Philadelphia."
Then, with a hint of awkwardness, he added, "That Fultz you mentioned—I'd love to move him, but he's the first overall pick. And the owner pushed that decision back then. It's complicated."
"No problem. If it can't be done, it can't be done."
Fultz gave Chen Yilun a headache as well. Barring surprises, the kid now suffered from a rare condition that erased his shooting memory.
The moment he stepped back on the court, it would show. But if he didn't play, no team would take him. The whole thing was a deadlock.
As far as Chen Yilun was concerned: if they could trade Fultz, great. If not, so be it. It was the Colangelo family's mess—not something to pin on Brett or Blackstone.
"I'm heading downstairs."
Blackstone brushed off the popcorn crumbs Chen Yilun had spilled on him and stood.
"I'll go first. You're not coming?"
"Me?"
Chen Yilun looked toward the court.
"I'll go later."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser