Chapter 412: Expanding the Puzzle
After receiving Chen Yilun’s affirmative answer, Buford finally let out a breath he’d been holding.
“If it’s future assets you want, I can offer our first-round pick this year plus a distant first-round swap.”
This year, since the Spurs had also made the playoffs, their first-round pick had fYilun out of the lottery, landing at No. 17.
“That deal leaves me taking a huge loss.”
The instant he heard Buford’s offer, Chen Yilun pushed back.
“Everyone knows this is the last truly strong draft year. No one knows when the next one will come.”
The rookie market over the past few years had been a rare golden era—three straight years widely recognized as draft bonanzas.
But as the saying goes, extremes reverse. After three consecutive strong classes, a drop in overall talent was inevitable.
It was already foreseeable that starting in 2020, draft quality would fall off a cliff.
That was why this year’s draft had become the final carnival for general managers.
“That’s enough.”
Hearing Chen Yilun’s complaints, Buford chuckled and tried to smooth things over.
“At least I’m giving you a distant swap. By then, the draft quality should have rebounded. All things considered, you’re not really losing out.”
“But I still have to shoulder the risk of your record.”
Chen Yilun replied bluntly.
“Just look at your roster. I won’t even talk about CJ. If you’re actually willing to move DeRozan and Aldridge, you could definitely get a great return for both.”
“When that happens, forget distant picks—once your rebuild is done and your draft position ends up lower than mine, wouldn’t I basically be handing you a high pick for free?”
“Now that sounds a bit cold.”
Seeing his first move fail, Buford switched to playing the relationship card.
“We’re family here. Why make things awkward over this? No need to get so formal, right?”
“This isn’t some small issue.”
Hearing that, Chen Yilun couldn’t help laughing.
“We’re talking about a lottery pick in a major draft year—possibly even one near the top. Pulling the friendship card at a time like this isn’t really appropriate, is it?”
“Hahaha.”
Buford laughed awkwardly.
“Alright, then I’ll take a step back. Forget the distant swap. How about a straight, unprotected first-round pick in ’24?”
’24?
Chen Yilun paused to think. If he remembered correctly, 2024 was infamous as a weak draft year. Even if the Spurs were still struggling by then, the pick wouldn’t be very attractive.
And Buford’s words also reminded Chen Yilun of something.
If his memory served him right, in 2024 the Spurs once held the No. 8 pick. Because it was a weak class and there was no prospect they really liked, their general manager at the time, Wright, ended up trading it away.
In the end, they got an unprotected first-round pick from the Timberwolves plus a first-round swap.
If an eighth pick in a weak draft year could fetch that kind of return, then a pick from a strong draft year like this one would be worth even more.
“No. The 2024 pick is too weak. I might consider 2023.”
After Chen Yilun said this, there was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
“2023 is off the table. Any other year can be discussed, but not that one.”
With such a long time gap, it was impossible to accurately predict which future drafts would be strong and which would be weak.
But Buford had his own assessment.
Far away in Gaul, at a training camp run by a team under Tony Parker’s umbrella, a young boy was slowly beginning to reveal a kind of talent that bordered on the unbelievable.
Judging by the timeline, this kid named Victor Wembanyama would be entering the league in 2023.
Was this old fox really seeing that far ahead?
After Buford flatly refused, Chen Yilun understood exactly why.
Every young player drafted into the league was there for a reason.
Many high picks had been receiving systematic, professional training from a very young age, with scouts tracking every step of their growth.
In today’s basketball world, most so-called prodigies had been pointed toward professional basketball almost from childhood.
They were practically manufactured stars.
Victor Wembanyama, still unpolished, was part of that star-making process. And with Parker’s connection in the mix, Wembanyama’s ties with the Spurs could be said to be among the strongest in the league.
“If you’re not willing to sell, then forget it. I’ll go look elsewhere.”
Seeing that Buford wasn’t biting, Chen Yilun hung up without hesitation.
“That brat!”
Hearing the dial tone, Buford hung up as well, half amused and half annoyed.
“Hit a wall?”
Popovich looked at Buford’s awkward expression and asked with a smile.
“I told you. That kid’s sharper than a monkey now. Trying to get the better of him is nothing but a daydream.”
“But it wasn’t a total loss.”
Buford said as he sat down across from Popovich.
“Coincidence or not, that kid seems to be eyeing 2023 as well.”
The moment Buford finished speaking, Popovich’s hawk-like gaze shot straight across the conference room.
“Not me!”
Parker, sitting in the corner, immediately cried foul.
“I like Yilun, sure, but ever since he left San Antonio we’ve barely had any contact. He hasn’t gotten anything from me.”
“Then it’s probably just a coincidence.”
Popovich muttered.
“Our attention on Victor only started after he went to Sacramento. In theory, he shouldn’t know anything about Victor at all.”
A few minutes later, a message popped up on Buford’s phone.
After reading it, his expression twitched.
“This kid really moves fast.”
“Sold already?”
Popovich leaned over, curious.
“Sold. And that’s not all.”
Buford said irritably. “He got a damn good price, too.”
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