Chapter 262: Entering the Pool
“Rough times lately, huh?”
Seeing that Snyder was willing to respond, Chen Yilun immediately stepped closer to him.
It wasn’t until Popovich broke up the Spurs system that Chen Yilun finally understood what it meant to thrive under strong backing—and how quickly people drift away once that support disappears.
Before, whenever he needed something, one call to the guys from the Spurs coaching tree usually got it done.
But ever since this summer, many in the Spurs front office had started distancing themselves.
Aside from the ones who had always been close—like Brown and Kerr—most of the others now talked to him in polite niceties, saying all the right things but helping with nothing.
But that was just how things worked. Everyone had their own job, their own priorities. No one lived their life orbiting someone else.
So now that Snyder was actually willing to talk, and knowing Snyder’s personality well, Chen Yilun figured this was an opportunity to pull him in.
“It’s alright,” Snyder said, brushing aside the strands of hair falling over his forehead.
“There’s no pressure to win this year, no troublemakers on the roster. Just cruising.”
When Snyder finished, Chen Yilun nodded repeatedly.
“It’s just a shame to see your talent wasted,” he said, shaking his head.
“In terms of tactical planning and in-game adjustments, you’re one of the absolute elite in the league. Being stuck on a rebuilding roster like this is burying your ability.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Snyder immediately grew alert.
“I’m doing perfectly fine in Utah. Don’t even think about poaching me!”
“No, no, of course not!”
Chen Yilun waved his hands quickly to reassure him.
“You’re already in a high position over there—where would I even find a better job for you? What I mean is…”
He leaned in close and lowered his voice.
“We can keep each other in the loop. And if you’re ever unhappy over there, just let me know—I still have some connections around the league.”
Even though Chen Yilun had been in the industry the shortest amount of time, he was the most successful among the Spurs-system protégés.
Originally, the strongest one was Budenholzer with the Hawks—holding both head coach and president of basketball operations roles.
But after last year’s disastrous season, the senior brother had to resign from the operations role to calm the fans. Now he was focused solely on coaching.
Unbothered by Snyder’s shifting expression, Chen Yilun kept talking.
“The old man might not be running things anymore, but we’re all still in the league. I figure making sure our group lives well matters more than anything else.”
Listening to him, Snyder’s eyes grew more and more complicated.
So this Rookie is trying to recruit him—this loud, impulsive guy, now suddenly trying to position himself as the next leader of the whole crew.
But after thinking it through, Snyder realized that while the idea sounded unreasonable at first, it actually made perfect sense.
Chen Yilun might be young, but he was already in the top tier of the Alliance.
And unlike the others who followed the coaching path, he’d gone all-in on the management side.
That path didn’t have as much spotlight, but it came with real power. Give him two more years to build up his foundation, and he really would have the strength to lead them.
Having figured that out, Snyder looked at Chen Yilun’s sharp, angular face and suddenly felt he might actually be worth betting on.
“I get what you’re saying.”
Snyder casually ran a hand along his cheek—really just covering his lips so no one could see them trembling.
“That works. Our team cycles don’t overlap anyway. We can coordinate.”
A faint smile appeared on Chen Yilun’s face after hearing the response.
With this senior brother, plus Brown who had gone to Philadelphia, there were now three teams in the league under his influence.
“Then let’s keep in touch.”
He waved his phone at Snyder.
“I still have some things to take care of, so I’ll head over.”
“Go.”
Snyder stood where he was, arms crossed, still wearing that “keep your distance” expression.
That was just who he was—someone who rarely expressed his emotions openly. But Chen Yilun knew he was warm on the inside. When he was on your side, Snyder was the most reliable ally you could have.
…
After saying goodbye, Chen Yilun headed straight to the VIP lounge. Ranadive had told him to come find him after the ceremony, though he had no idea what for.
The moment he walked in, he stopped in his tracks.
Adam Silver had already left after the ceremony. Normally, Ranadive should’ve been alone—but there was someone else sitting beside him.
“Eric? What are you doing here?”
Chen Yilun frowned, confused.
Eric wasn’t an outsider—he was Ranadive’s personal legal counsel. After Chen Yilun’s team drafted player contracts, they always had to run them by Eric first. Only after his approval could they be handed to players.
Seeing Chen Yilun’s puzzled look, Eric let out a laugh.
“Boss Chen, congratulations! No… I should call you President Chen now.”
“President Chen?”
Scratching his head, Chen Yilun looked even more confused.
“Sit, sit!”
Ranadive gestured with a grin.
“I told you—win the championship and I’ll give you a promotion. I’m here to keep that promise.”
Promotion?
Chen Yilun’s eyes widened instantly.
He was already the General Manager while also serving as President of Basketball Operations.
As far as employees went, he had reached the absolute ceiling. There was nothing left to promote him to.
He was already the second-in-command—under one person and above everyone else. What higher position could there be?
Seeing the confusion in his eyes, Ranadive didn’t bother beating around the bush. He took a contract from Eric and handed it over.
“Take a look.”
Chen Yilun grabbed the contract and flipped it open eagerly.
“Whoa…”
He sucked in a breath halfway through the first page.
It was a share transfer agreement.
Ranadive was giving him team shares?!
Had the old man lost his mind, giving him such an enormous gift?
But as he kept reading, Chen Yilun relaxed.
The shares came with dividends only—no voting power, which remained firmly in Ranadive’s hands.
And the shares were only valid as long as he remained employed by the Kings. If he left, they would automatically revert to Ranadive.
“Last year I bought back all the small shareholders' stakes,” Ranadive said with a smile as he stood.
“I figured all those shares weren’t doing much good sitting there, so I thought I’d give you a portion.”
He extended his hand.
“Welcome aboard as a team shareholder, my friend!”
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