"The team with this year's fifth pick is... the New York Knicks!"
Today, the Zen Master didn't show up at the draft lottery in person—he sent an assistant instead.
The assistant, after pulling a high draft pick, wore a polite but slightly awkward smile.
As soon as the vice president finished speaking, the room erupted in loud applause, though a few mocking laughs were mixed in.
In the end, the top three picks stayed the same as history: the Timberwolves landed the first overall pick, the Lakers the second, and the 76ers the third.
Don't forget, the Timberwolves already have Andrew Wiggins, the 2014 No. 1 pick, and Anthony Bennett, the 2013 No. 1 pick!
That means all three number one picks from the past three years will be playing together on the same team next season!
After watching the lottery, Chen Yilun switched off the TV.
"So, what do we do with this fifth pick?"
At that moment, Chen Yilun's apartment was packed. Malone, Divac, and Peja were squeezed onto his not-so-spacious sofa.
"You really should move into a bigger place."
Divac's massive frame forced him to curl up in the corner of the couch, hugging his knees. "You're a GM now. How can you still live in such a tiny apartment?"
"I like small places—they're cozy. I live alone and I'm always on the road anyway. What would I do with a big house?"
After a bit of joking around, Malone got back to the main topic.
"Right now, what we need most is a wing. Casspi's already a free agent, and the only guy we've got left is Crowder. We need more depth at that position."
As he spoke, Malone suddenly remembered something. "Haven't you been working on a Cousins trade these past two days? Any solid targets?"
"Not yet."
Chen Yilun rubbed his eyes, looking troubled.
"My top choice was Butler from the Bulls, but they won't even pick up the phone."
Butler would be a perfect fit for the Kings' lineup.
But the Bulls already had Gasol inside, so scoring wasn't an issue. And with Rose injured, Butler had become their franchise cornerstone. Bulls GM Gar Forman's asking price was completely unacceptable for Chen Yilun.
"I'll work on the forward spot once free agency opens, but we still need a backup plan. Maybe we grab a rookie wing just to add depth?"
"Agreed."
Peja nodded quickly. "If that's the case, then we really should trade down from the fifth pick."
"Compared to wings, I think we should also look at bolstering the backcourt," Malone said after a short pause.
"The backcourt? What's wrong with it that you still want to add more?" Divac raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed.
"CJ's our main ball-handler, but because of his size, he needs help defensively. You all saw it—during the playoffs, he had nothing against Harden.
LaVine can only give us short bursts, Ben is just a spot-up shooter, and Ray... he's basically done."
"So you're saying we need another ball-handler."
Chen Yilun's eyes lit up at Malone's words.
This year's draft class was notoriously weak, but he had his sights set on the one big fish.
"Then we trade down. Secure another lottery pick, add some future assets, and pick up a second-rounder this year."
Right as he finished, Chen Yilun's phone rang.
"Hello? This is Chen Yilun."
"Yilun, congrats—you got that fifth pick for free. I heard you're looking to trade it?"
It was his old friend, Nuggets GM Connelly.
"Yeah, as long as the price is right, everything's for sale." Chen Yilun chuckled, stepping out to the balcony to take the call.
"I'll give you my seventh pick and our second-rounder this year for your fifth."
Even as he said it, Connelly sounded unsure.
"What do you think?"
Chen Yilun snorted coldly.
The Nuggets' second-rounder this year was the 57th pick overall—practically worthless. If he really wanted, Chen Yilun could just buy one.
"You're trying to rob me? Think it through before you call again. Don't waste our time."
"Fine, I'll throw in one more second-rounder. Don't be too greedy—it's already a weak draft. A three-for-one deal is more than fair."
Connelly finally spoke after thinking for a long while.
Since the Nuggets had already traded a first-rounder with the Kings last year, they technically couldn't trade another this year. The only way around the rule was to draft first and then trade afterward.
"You're not serious."
Chen Yilun laughed. "You won't even put up a protected first-rounder."
"You're just two spots ahead of me and you still want a first? You're blinded by money!"
After a few more back-and-forths, Chen Yilun hung up.
If nothing better came along, the Nuggets' offer could be a fallback option.
Just as he was about to head back inside, his phone rang again.
"Mr. Chen?"
A slightly hoarse voice came through.
"This is Pat Riley. I want to talk about your fifth pick."
Pat Riley!
The moment he realized who it was, Chen Yilun tensed up.
As a rookie GM, he'd dealt with legends like the Zen Master, Danny Ainge, and Jerry West. But this was his first time speaking with the famed "Godfather" himself.
"Mr. Riley, you're looking to trade for my first-round pick?"
"Yes."
Riley's voice was calm and measured. "I'll give you my 10th pick plus James Ennis."
That's a trap.
Chen Yilun immediately saw through Riley's game.
On the surface, 5 for 10 plus a serviceable James Ennis didn't sound bad.
But Chen Yilun knew better—Ennis was going nowhere. A future journeyman at best.
Trading a first-round pick for a player nobody wants? Chen Yilun sneered inwardly.
"Sorry, Pat. What we really need are future draft assets."
"I see." Riley paused. "We also have this year's 40th pick. Interested?"
"Just the 40th isn't enough." Chen Yilun kept his voice steady. "The Nuggets just called—they're willing to give me their 7th pick and two second-rounders."
"A first-rounder. If you want my fifth pick, you've got to add at least one more first."
At that, Riley finally chuckled.
But to Chen Yilun, the sound was unsettling, nothing like the warmth of his father's laugh.
"Fine, we'll do it your way. I'll give you our 2017 first-rounder—with lottery protection."
Lottery protection meant if the Heat's 2017 pick landed in the lottery, it stayed with them—and the Kings would get nothing.
"You can put lottery protection on it, but I need a roll-over guarantee."
Chen Yilun refused to back down.
"Then it's lottery protection in 2017 and 2018, and top-10 protection in 2019. That's plenty of sincerity. But since I'm giving that much, you'll have to send me a second-rounder."
"Deal!"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser