"Friends!"
Chen Yilun looked at the people seated below him.
Some of them had been placed into his team over the years through various exchanges of interests during long periods of collaboration.
More of them, however, were people Chen Yilun had personally recruited himself.
"We've already accomplished feats that most people could never achieve in an entire lifetime."
As he spoke, there was a trace of regret in Chen Yilun's tone.
In his original vision, with Graham and McNair by his side, he should have been able to transition smoothly into the role of a behind-the-scenes elder statesman.
But judging from the current situation, this so-called retired emperor still had to step out from time to time to take control of things.
The faction led by Anjali, representing the interests of major shareholder Ranadivé, still held a great deal of influence within the team.
At critical moments, only Chen Yilun—a man with unquestioned merit—could step in and truly convince everyone.
"We have to understand one thing,"
Chen Yilun said, emphasizing each word.
"And that is what our current task really is."
"The dynasty has already been built. This warship that belongs to Sacramento has completed its journey and is now slowly sailing into port."
"Everything we need to do now is to make sure this massive ship docks safely."
"This will determine whether we can remain competitive for the next ten years. You don't want me to become the next Jerry Krause, do you?"
Those words carried tremendous weight.
The name Jerry Krause was hardly unfamiliar to longtime fans.
As the general manager of the Bulls, it was under Krause's watch that the franchise completed its six-championship dynasty.
Yet during his tenure, Krause himself was constantly questioned and criticized by both fans and the media.
As Chen Yilun grew step by step into his current role, he gradually began to understand Krause's decisions—moves that had once seemed abstract, even incomprehensible.
In the end,
Krause was nothing more than a high-level executive carrying out the ideas of then-owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
Later generations, awed by Michael Jordan's near-mythical performances, pinned all the blame on Krause, with many believing his success was simply riding on Jordan's coattails.
But few people truly understood that Krause's contributions were indispensable to the Bulls' two dynasties.
Whether it was selecting "Batman" Pippen and "Cobra" Grant in the same draft, or later defying widespread opposition to trade for Rodman—who had all but been cast aside by the league—these were clear reflections of Krause's sharp eye for talent.
Even near the end, Krause still wanted to trade a declining Pippen for draft picks in order to acquire the then red-hot prospect Tracy McGrady.
All of it showed that Krause's vision and control of the bigger picture placed him firmly among the very best in history.
The two biggest mistakes of Krause's career were these:
He underestimated Michael Jordan's competitive level late in his career, and he underestimated how irreplaceable Jordan truly was.
That was why, after all the storms he endured, aside from Jordan himself, Pippen, and Bulls fans who still held lingering resentment, there was almost no one else around the league who spoke negatively about Krause.
Chen Yilun's words plunged the conference room into a strange silence.
What he had just said was no small matter—it effectively tied his entire career to the decisions being made right now.
"That's not what I meant."
Seeing Chen Yilun look as though he were ready to stake everything on this, Anjali started to panic.
The reason the Kings were so united and everyone was able to focus on their own roles wasn't just because of Coach Malone's coaching.
A huge part of it was that the players trusted Chen Yilun. They believed he was someone who always had their backs and would never sell them out.
If she didn't stand with Chen Yilun now, and the team really did fall apart later, the pressure from public opinion alone would be more than Anjali could handle.
"If there are no other objections, then we'll proceed as I've said."
Seeing that Anjali didn't continue speaking, Chen Yilun decisively brought the discussion to a close.
"If they want to leave, let them leave. Not only must we not stop them—whether officially or unofficially, we need to do everything properly and send them off with goodwill!"
...
...
"Kevin, we go way back. The offer we've put on the table is already generous enough. Why won't you sign?"
Peja looked at Durant sitting across from him, on the verge of breaking down.
In Peja's original thinking, Durant had already achieved everything—three championships, three Finals MVPs. He should have been completely satisfied when it came to accolades.
Now he had New York, one of the biggest markets in the league, and on top of that, he and Durant were old friends from their Kings days.
Add in a max contract, and it should have been a done deal.
Yet even now, Durant still hadn't signed his name on the contract.
"If there's anything you're worried about, just say it. As long as we can do it, we will!"
"It's not really about worries."
Durant shifted a bit awkwardly in his chair before speaking.
"Peja, you're an old Kings guy too. You know what my days were like back then. Players at Siakam's level were just backing me up. Basketball was so easy—no distractions, just go out there and score."
"But after spending the past couple of days looking around Brooklyn…"
"Other than being a big city, what does this place really have? And the teammates on this roster… they're kind of…"
Durant had already chosen his words carefully, but the meaning behind them still stabbed straight into Peja's heart.
That's trash talk! Straight-up trash talk!
Wasn't he clearly saying the current Nets roster just wasn't good enough?
"Kevin, don't rush it. You have to take things one step at a time. Look at the young guys we brought in this year—every single one of them had their name cleared on Yilun's side."
Hearing that, Durant—who had been looking rather indifferent—immediately perked up.
"You're saying those new young players were all recommended by Yilun?"
"Of course."
Peja replied with a smile.
"You know the relationship I have with Yilun. Once you officially sign, I'll figure out a way to dig a few more people out from his side."
"Sounds good."
A crafty smile crept onto Durant's face. He and Peja exchanged a knowing look, then both burst out laughing together.
"Achoo!"
Back in Sacramento, Chen Yilun let out a loud sneeze.
"What's going on here?"
He muttered to himself as he pulled out a tissue. "Who's talking about me again?"
…
(Full Series is already available on P@treon)
[email protected] / GhostParser