"Derrick! Great news—fantastic news!"
B.J. Armstrong, Rose's agent, burst through the front door with excited steps.
"What's got you in such a panic?"
Rose, in the middle of his cardio workout, stopped the machine, pulled off his headphones, and looked over curiously.
Right now, Rose was going through the toughest stretch of his career. After leaving the Knicks, he had finally accepted the reality that he could never go back to what he once was.
He then took a minimum deal with the Cavaliers to give it one more try—but reality once again hit him hard.
He still got some minutes in Cleveland, but his role had gradually drifted to the margins. At times, he was basically forgotten by the team altogether.
Under those conditions, a discouraged Rose had even begun to consider retirement.
"With everything going on, what good news could there even be?"
Rose walked over quietly and handed Armstrong a bottle of water.
"This time it really is good news!"
Armstrong took the bottle, chugged half of it in one go, then spoke.
"I just got first-hand intel. It's still under wraps, but I felt like you needed to hear it.
Two days ago, the Kings' Chen Yilun came to Cleveland. He wants to trade for you."
"Sacramento?"
At those words, even Rose's naturally melancholy face couldn't help showing a flicker of emotion.
"They want me?"
"That's right! And from what I heard, Chen Yilun insisted in the meeting that you must be part of the deal!"
Armstrong was barely able to contain his excitement.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! Sacramento's stacked, and head coach Mike Malone actually knows how to use his players. If we land in Sacramento, it'll definitely be better than staying here."
"But…"
After a short moment of excitement, Rose's smile faded again.
"If I remember right, the Kings' backcourt is already loaded. And they're all young guys who've been developing together since entering the league. Would I even get a real opportunity there?"
"What are you worrying about that for!"
Armstrong waved his hands, dismissing the concern.
"With how messy things are in Cleveland right now, just getting out is the real win. What's there to pick and choose?"
"You're not wrong."
Rose nodded. "Is the information solid?"
"Solid as it gets. Sure, Chen Yilun came quietly, but in this league nothing stays secret for long. If I already know, then every team that should know probably knows too."
Armstrong continued, "All we can do now is hope Chen Yilun stays firm on bringing you over."
...
Things unfolded exactly as Armstrong predicted. Despite Chen Yilun and the Cavaliers keeping their negotiations airtight for days, the moment Chen Yilun returned to Sacramento, the news started spreading across the league.
"That's right—we're getting ready to make a deal with Cleveland."
In Chen Yilun's office, he was surrounded by a group of old foxes, all pressing him for information.
Everyone wanted to get their hands on Young, so they had simply opened a group video call.
"Yilun, we've been friends for years. You didn't even ask me first? That's cold!"
Danny Ainge chuckled from the screen.
Before he could finish, Pat Riley's dry, cutting voice chimed in.
"He's only talking to us because he doesn't want your guys. Obviously he's still trading with us."
Riley had barely finished when the screen flashed—another participant had joined the call.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen!"
Altman jumped in, mic already on.
"First come, first served! We were already deep in talks and about to finalize things. What is this stunt you guys are trying to pull?"
"No one said anything about first come, first served!"
Riley snapped back immediately, irritated at the interruption.
"Kobe, you're not some rookie anymore. Why bring up something so childish? Let's be honest—you're not winning a title this year. Going after Young is pointless. You might as well hand him over to us!"
"What nonsense! How can you just say that!"
Stung, Altman fired right back.
"And why do you even care if I want Young? Maybe I just like keeping him on my roster—ever think of that? Yilun! Hold onto Young for me! I'll message you later—I can loosen the protection on that first-rounder a bit."
With that, Altman abruptly left the call.
"Young people—always in such a rush."
After a short silence, Ainge spoke again, still smiling.
"Yilun, you owe the two of us a favor this time."
In truth, the whole exchange had been a setup by Chen Yilun and the two old foxes.
Altman was new to his position and wanted to make a splash, but he didn't want to pay a heavy price.
So Chen Yilun simply brought in the Heat and the Celtics—two Eastern Conference contenders who were eager to knock the Cavaliers off their throne.
If Altman failed to get Young, it wouldn't have been a big deal… unless the Heat or Celtics got him instead. Then it would be a black mark on his record.
So the moment those two teams joined the fray, the leverage shifted out of Altman's hands.
"Thanks, both of you."
Chen Yilun pressed his palms together in gratitude toward Ainge and Riley.
"We expect something in return."
Riley wore the same sarcastic expression he always did.
"I don't fully get the way you young guys operate, but I know one thing: with all those young players you're hoarding, you're going to have to move some of them eventually. When you do, make sure I'm first in line."
"And me too! Don't worry—I'll give you a great offer."
Ainge added.
"Of course."
Chen Yilun replied with a smile.
"And one more thing," Riley added casually. "After the trade's done, don't forget our arrangement."
"I won't." Chen Yilun raised a brow at him, and the two exchanged a knowing grin.
...
A few days later, the league announced the first trade of the new season.
The Cavaliers sent Derrick Rose, Iman Shumpert, and a top-five protected 2019 first-round pick to the Kings.
In return, they received Thaddeus Young, the Kings' 2018 second-round pick from the Wizards, and the Hawks' 2022 second-round pick.
The moment the deal was finalized,
Chen Yilun pulled the trigger on another trade—shipping Iman Shumpert immediately to the Miami Heat, acquiring Willie Reed, a mini-midlevel trade exception, and the Heat's 2021 second-round pick in return.