Chen Yilun glanced at the caller ID and couldn't help but smile.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he took a deep breath to steady himself before pressing the button.
"Gar! What's got you free enough to call me today?"
The caller was none other than Gar Forman, General Manager of the Chicago Bulls.
Forman was a veteran executive for the Bulls, taking over after the legendary GM Jerry Krause retired. Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Aaron Gordon were all products of his drafts.
"Chen, you know exactly why I'm calling. Why even ask?"
Gar Forman chuckled.
"You've been eyeing Jimmy for a long time."
Nothing ever stays secret for long in the league.
Everyone knew Chen Yilun loved tough defenders. And his ultimate favorite—the one he admired most—was the Bulls' rising star, Jimmy Butler.
Last season, Butler had been a strong candidate for Most Improved Player, but in the end, it was the Kings' CJ McCollum who won it.
In the offseason, Chen Yilun had even offered DeMarcus Cousins as trade bait to land Butler. But Cousins was dead set on going to the Wizards, and the Bulls already had the steady presence of Pau Gasol.
That deal went nowhere.
But just a few months later, the opportunity came around again.
Compared to Cousins, Zach LaVine was even more appealing to the Bulls.
A high-quality 3-and-D prototype—he could defend, handle the ball, and contribute right away. Young, with a huge ceiling.
The biggest complication? Derrick Rose's return this season.
Chicago fans had given this comet-like talent endless patience and faith. Even after all the devastating injuries, they never stopped believing.
But Rose's comeback directly impacted Butler, who had stepped up as the team's leader in his absence.
This season, Butler showed even greater intensity on defense and stronger stamina than last year.
Still, it was clear: the Bulls were steadily reducing his role, gradually handing the ball back to Rose.
For someone as proud as Butler, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
If Chen Yilun hadn't intervened, Butler still would have forced a trade after the season—ironically, the centerpiece of that deal with the Timberwolves would have been Zach LaVine.
"I'll admit it—I've got my eye on Butler."
Chen Yilun laughed, trying to play it cool. "But not enough to throw everything on the line."
The push-and-pull between GMs was always fascinating.
Sometimes a deal came together overnight, but the negotiations leading up to it could drag on for months.
From talent evaluation to age, injury history, play style, even family medical background—everything could be used as ammunition between executives.
That's why Chen Yilun often thought: the front-office game looked mysterious, but it wasn't rocket science.
His mother back in China, whose favorite pastime was haggling with vegetable vendors over a few cents at the market, could probably do the job just as well.
"Whatever you say."
Gar Forman wasn't fazed. Anyone could see Chen Yilun was practically drooling over Butler. Acting reserved now? Who was he trying to fool?
"We're interested in your Zach LaVine. If he's the centerpiece, then Butler could be on the table."
"Oh wow! A couple of compliments and you're already acting like a big shot." Chen Yilun teased.
"You know full well what LaVine is worth. You're trying to clear the way for Rose by moving Butler, but somehow you're making it sound like I'm the one benefiting."
"Of course I know LaVine's situation."
Gar Forman shot back without hesitation. "Don't be fooled by his hot streak—it's just a handful of games. That doesn't convince me. At best, I can only treat him as a promising 3-and-D prospect."
That was a sharp blow.
In one move, he had downgraded a rising star to nothing more than an unfinished 3-and-D role player.
"If that's really how you see it, then we've got nothing left to discuss."
Chen Yilun held the phone in one hand while the other absentmindedly traced the uneven grain of his desk.
"If you actually want him, then let's talk seriously. Give me a real offer."
"Then you start. What's your price?"
"LaVine plus three second-round picks—for your Jimmy."
"Did you choke on a fly?"
Gar Forman couldn't stop himself from cursing as soon as he heard the offer.
No first-rounders at all, and this guy wants my second-best player? Chen Yilun really knows how to dream.
"LaVine plus three first-rounders. Take it or leave it!"
Gar Forman immediately raised the price to the ceiling. "That includes your own 2018 first-round pick and that 2018 Wizards first-rounder you're holding!"
"You might as well go rob someone!"
Chen Yilun paused, then let out an angry laugh. "When I traded Cousins, I only got two first-rounders and a pick swap! You're trying to pass off cabbage as beef, huh?"
"Doesn't matter. That's Jimmy's price!"
Gar Forman ignored his protest and dug in his heels, refusing to budge.
"Fine, fine. Now I see how shameless you front-office types really are."
Chen Yilun gritted his teeth.
"Careful—you're dragging yourself into that too." Gar Forman roared with laughter. "If we're pointing fingers, it's just big brother mocking little brother. We're both cut from the same cloth, so what's the difference?"
The showdown ended with Chen Yilun and Gar Forman parting on bad terms.
But both knew this was just the first round.
Mid-season trades were always a tug-of-war, unlike free agency where speed was everything.
Here, everyone had half a season to figure out who to trade, how to trade, and how to squeeze every last drop of value out of their players.