Chen Yilun had just returned to his office and hadn't even had a chance to sit down when Malone barged in.
"Yilun, I've got a new idea about the team's usage distribution. I want your take on it."
"No way!"
Chen Yilun stared wide-eyed at Malone, whose bloodshot eyes told the story.
"You didn't sleep last night, did you?"
"Just managed a short nap," Malone replied casually.
"Sit down, sit down!"
Chen Yilun quickly motioned for the sleep-deprived and slightly manic Malone to take a seat.
"You can figure this stuff out on your own! Why bring it to me?"
"You're the boss. Of course I've got to run it by you first."
Even sitting down, Malone was still buzzing with energy.
"Fine, fine, I'll read it now. But once I'm done, you're going straight home to sleep! Got it?"
He unfolded the report Malone handed him.
Malone's reports were always the same—concise and to the point.
Just one page.
Chen Yilun flipped through it in no time.
"You want to feature Booker?"
Looking puzzled, he raised his head, casually taking off his glasses and wiping them.
"Exactly! After we talked yesterday, I kept thinking about it."
Malone leaned forward.
"No matter who we face in the playoffs, we need someone who can break through and deliver."
"Gay's too old to be a consistent weapon anymore. Jokić's talent lies more in his passing, and he doesn't have that strong of a scoring drive."
Malone shifted.
"But Booker's different. Just in these last two games, he's already shown the potential of an elite scorer."
The report was simple: currently, the team's offense revolved around Jokić as the core, with everyone else working off him.
The adjustment Malone proposed was a Jokić-Young double pick-and-roll as the foundation, creating space for Booker and LaVine.
In other words, the familiar "two-guard" system.
This approach—gradually increasing perimeter touches to build scoring instincts—was exactly how the Suns developed Booker in the original timeline.
That method turned Booker into one of the league's top scorers within just two seasons.
Now, with the Kings' elite development system and Jokić—the league's best inside-out passer—by his side, Chen Yilun was confident Booker's growth would far outpace his original trajectory.
"I agree with you."
Chen Yilun placed the report on the desk.
"The team does need someone who can step up in tough moments."
"But don't get too anxious." He added reassuringly, "The LaVine trade is happening no matter what—there's no way anyone could stop it!"
"So we'll definitely have a core option in the playoffs. But if you're good with Booker, we can keep him as the secondary option."
"That's all I needed to hear!"
Relieved by Chen Yilun's approval, Malone slumped back, letting out two yawns in a row.
"Good enough for me. Ah, it's catching up to me now. I'm heading home to sleep."
…
With Malone's adjustments, the Kings' offense surged dramatically.
The new scheme maximized their perimeter firepower, and conveniently, both Booker and LaVine were perfectly suited to take on the increased shot volume.
The Kings instantly looked like a whole new team.
"This is unbelievable! They're almost at the Splash Brothers' level!"
Sitting in the studio, Shaq gaped at the Kings' offensive onslaught.
"These last two years with the Kings have been unreal—top rookies just keep popping up."
"Yeah, look at Devin Booker. Doesn't even look like a rookie," Reggie Miller added. "Sure, Booker and LaVine still have some rough edges, but there's no denying they've both shown the potential to become elite scorers. Give the Kings' kids a bit more time to grow, and this team is going to be scary."
While the commentators were hyping them up, Booker once again used Young's screen to pull up from deep and drill another jumper.
Isaiah Thomas fought to squeeze through the screen but could only watch helplessly as the shot fell.
"Booker's release is getting so quick!"
Since it was a Kings home game, Chen Yilun was watching from courtside. Watching Booker dominate, he was stunned by just how fast the kid was improving.
No surprise—under the guidance of the league's best shooting coach, Booker's development had already blown past his expectations.
Their opponent tonight, the Celtics, had also begun their own revival.
Last season, Isaiah Thomas's arrival gave Boston a shot of adrenaline. They surged late, clawing into the eighth seed in the East and barely catching the playoff train.
They got swept 4-0 by the Hawks in the first round, but Boston fans still saw hope for the future.
This year, the Celtics kept Thomas as the centerpiece while loading up on perimeter defenders to patch holes in their zone and cover for him.
With Thomas's defense, without a strong system behind him, he was a guaranteed liability.
Watching the game unfold, Brad Stevens smirked.
Everyone already knew the Kings were rising, but Stevens hadn't expected it to happen this fast. They'd exploded onto the scene almost overnight.
Thankfully, they were in the West.
Stevens quietly breathed a sigh of relief. If the Kings were in the East, he'd already be scrambling for countermeasures.
For now, he'd let the Western teams deal with it.
The Kings wrapped it up smoothly, beating the Celtics 112–97.
…
"Brad."
After the game, Chen Yilun walked over as usual to greet Stevens.
"Hey, Chen! Long time no see. What's been keeping you busy?"
Stevens greeted him politely.
"What else? Grinding away at work." Chen Yilun shrugged.
"You heard the chatter?" Stevens covered his mouth with the playboard. "The East might see some big moves next year."
"Of course I know."
Chen Yilun casually wiped his mouth, really just covering his words.
"Of course I know. What, you've got something in mind too?"