"Kai, welcome to Los Angeles!"
Inside the Los Angeles Clippers general manager's office, as soon as Jerry West saw Kai Chen, he stood up and extended his right hand. "I've always wanted to talk to you, but everything had to wait until you were truly drafted!"
Before the NBA Draft began, all of Jerry West's operations—except those involving the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic—were extremely secretive.
Don't think that the Charlotte Hornets weren't also secretly observing Kai Chen, trying to trade for him.
Michael Jordan, even appeared multiple times at the NCAA Tournament to watch Kai Chen's games.
This also let the outside world know about the Charlotte Hornets' intentions: they wanted to get Kai Chen.
Just this one piece of information gave the Atlanta Hawks and the Charlotte Hornets leverage.
However, the players on the Charlotte Hornets were difficult to use to impress the Atlanta Hawks and other teams.
This is why the Charlotte Hornets failed.
Once you show weakness in a player trade, you will always be at a disadvantage, making it difficult to control the initiative.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Clippers—
From the beginning, Jerry West offered the most tempting chips within the team, which was Blake Griffin, and besides that, they also owned the 12th and 13th overall draft picks.
And before the NBA Draft began, the Los Angeles Clippers spread rumors that they wanted to trade up for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Kentucky University.
They didn't mention Kai Chen at all.
It wasn't until the trade was finalized that Jerry West decisively made his move, announcing his long-planned trade to the public.
"Why did the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks agree to the trade?"
Kai Chen still had many questions.
"The Orlando Magic's management didn't have much expectation for the sixth overall pick; they wanted an All-Star player," Jerry West said. "And the Atlanta Hawks already had their sights set on Trae Young, so as long as they were sure they'd get Trae Young, they'd agree to the trade."
When Jerry West proposed trading the 6th and 11th overall picks for the third overall pick, the Atlanta Hawks' general manager agreed without a second thought, nodding directly.
"All of this was planned by you?"
Kai Chen was indeed a bit surprised. "But we still gave away Griffin!"
"As long as we have you, we are full of confidence in the future!"
Jerry West lit a victory cigar. "I have great confidence in you. I believe your future achievements in the NBA will reach a historical height."
"Moreover, Blake Griffin is no longer in my future plans."
At this point, Jerry West emphasized, "After trading him, we now have nearly 30 million in salary cap space. In the free agency market, there are still big-name stars like LeBron James, Chris Paul, Paul George, and so on."
After laying out his entire plan, Jerry West showed a winner's smile.
If they could acquire one of them in the upcoming free agency, then the Los Angeles Clippers would surely take off this season.
However, according to his memories from his previous life, the Los Angeles Clippers did not attract any other big-name stars in this offseason.
Would the process change because of his arrival?
After the conversation with Jerry West, Kai Chen and Grayson Allen successively completed the signing of their rookie contracts.
As the third overall pick, Kai Chen's starting salary in this contract was 8 million dollars.
Ultimately, the Los Angeles Clippers gave Kai Chen a three-year, 30 million dollar contract.
The third year was a team option.
"In the future, we will prepare a super big contract for you!" Jerry West said after Kai Chen finished signing. "You are our future."
After completing the signing ceremony, Jerry West took Kai Chen and Allen to Staples Center.
"Look at the championship banners and retired jerseys above the arena."
Kai Chen looked up at the arena ceiling, dominated by Los Angeles Lakers players, and fell silent for a moment.
"I hope in the near future…" Jerry West patted Kai Chen's shoulder and said seriously, "one day, the Los Angeles Clippers will become the pride of Los Angeles under your leadership!"
"I understand."
Kai Chen nodded. "These Los Angeles Lakers championship banners are too old!"
Kai Chen's words brought a satisfied smile to Jerry West's face.
Daring to shoulder the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles and challenge the NBA's top powerhouse, the Los Angeles Lakers—
Without some confidence, it truly wouldn't work.
After visiting Staples Center, Kai Chen also attended a press conference, officially announcing his jersey number for the new season—23. [1]
This was the number Kai Chen wore during his NCAA period.
The summer of 2018 was destined to be eventful!
July 6th.
On the fifth day of the trade market opening, surprisingly, NBA teams didn't have many trades.
There was only one reason for this phenomenon—LeBron James had not yet officially confirmed his next team.
Everyone was waiting for LeBron James to make his decision, and only then would subsequent signings and trades occur.
Of course, for those players who had already confirmed their stay with their teams, they made their choices immediately.
After experiencing a Game 7 loss last season, Chris Paul decided to re-sign with the Houston Rockets, and they would once again challenge the Golden State Warriors' dynasty throne.
Subsequently, Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder reached a four-year contract extension with the team, remaining in Oklahoma.
The Golden State Warriors completed a 1+1 contract extension with Durant, and then they quickly made a move in the free agency market, signing DeMarcus Cousins to a mid-level contract.
After this signing, the whole world was shocked. On one hand, the Golden State Warriors' roster was strengthened again; on the other hand, for a player of Cousins' ability, signing only a one-year, 5.3 million mid-level contract was simply too outrageous.
"fuck, just give the championship to the Golden State Warriors next season!"
"All five starters were All-Stars last season, how are people supposed to play?"
"To hell with it, Cousins really has no shame!"
Many fans left messages on social media, complaining about Cousins.
But at this time, Cousins was no longer the omnipotent player he was last season; after suffering an Achilles tendon tear, Cousins' condition had significantly declined compared to the previous few seasons.
Just as fans were furiously complaining, The King announced his decision.
July 10th.
"I'm ready to take my talents to the City of Angels!"
As soon as LeBron James' decision was announced, Los Angeles once again went into a frenzy.
Only this time, it was the cheers of Los Angeles Lakers fans.
"Kai, LeBron has also come to Los Angeles!"
At the same time, Grayson Allen, who was preparing for the Summer League in Las Vegas, found Kai Chen. "But he didn't join us—he joined the Los Angeles Lakers!"
"Now, it's really hard for us to have any standing in Los Angeles."
"Who told you that?"
Kai Chen didn't care. "Prepare well for the Summer League. Don't be affected by these messages."
For rookies joining the NBA, the Summer League is a great platform to adapt to the NBA's intensity.
As for LeBron James joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Kai Chen already knew about it, so he had no interest at all.
Compared to these signings, transfers, and trades in the summer, what Kai Chen cared more about was when he would be able to trigger the basketball god system's mission again.
"Kai, I believe that as long as you are here, we can shake the Los Angeles Lakers' position in Los Angeles."
Kai Chen pretended to ponder. "Then let's start by winning the Summer League championship!"
The two young men from Duke University walked through the streets of Las Vegas, chatting late into the night.
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[1] I feel like #23 is kind of played out, let me know your thoughts and if I should change it.
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