Chapter 416 - 417
Chapter 416: The Twin Towers (2)
“What is all this supposed to be?”
Chen Yilun watched as one name after another flashed across the big screen. After a quick glance, he dropped his gaze and started fiddling with his phone.
From the tail end of the lottery all the way to the end of the first round, there wasn’t a single player who really caught his interest.
So Chen Yilun took full advantage of the downtime and openly slacked off.
But as the draft crept toward the end of the first round, he finally pulled his attention away from his phone.
“With the 27th pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Jordan Poole from the University of Michigan!”
“Who?!”
Chen Yilun, who had just taken a sip of water, instantly choked.
“Cough—cough—cough!”
The sudden fit of coughing drew everyone’s attention in the meeting room.
“What happened?”
Graham, who was sitting closest, hurried over and patted Chen Yilun on the back.
“Drank too fast?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Chen Yilun waved him off while coughing.
“I’m just surprised the Lakers actually took Jordan Poole.”
This was really bizarre. The guy who was supposed to end up with the Warriors somehow got scooped up by the Lakers instead.
“No idea if that’s a blessing or a curse.”
Poole being drafted by the Lakers meant that the Warriors’ future franchise darling had inexplicably landed with a rival team.
At the very least, one thing was certain: by going to the Lakers, Poole neatly avoided the infamous beating that awaited him in the original timeline.
But whether this would ultimately help or hurt his development? That was something only history could answer.
After all, even though Kerr’s coaching ability was heavily questioned after the collapse of the original five-star Warriors, there was no denying that Poole’s rise—from a late first-round rookie to a serious contender for a max contract—was closely tied to the system Kerr built.
He even flashed All-Star–level play in his most recent season.
Poole undeniably benefited from Kerr’s system.
So the real question was: could Poole still fulfill that potential with the Lakers?
Only time would tell.
“Interesting… really interesting.”
Watching Poole grin at the camera on the big screen, a Lakers cap perched on his head, Chen Yilun felt a strange, mischievous sense of amusement.
History had a funny way of playing tricks.
“With the 28th pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors select Keldon Johnson from the University of Kentucky!”
Just like that, Keldon Johnson—nicknamed the “Ford Mustang”—was taken by the Warriors.
To be fair, Johnson really did fit the Warriors’ framework. Or rather, he was the type of player who could fit into almost any team.
As a die-hard Spurs fan in his previous life, Chen Yilun had always liked Keldon Johnson.
On the court, he was endlessly energetic, always running, never tired, and willing to make any sacrifice for the team.
Whether it was decisively giving up his status as the team’s top option after Wembanyama arrived, or generously handing over his jersey number to Chris Paul when the veteran joined the team, Keldon had always put the team first.
This carefree, straightforward kid had long been a favorite among Spurs fans.
“Hope you do well.”
Chen Yilun murmured softly as he watched Keldon’s highlight package on the screen.
That said, with Keldon joining the Warriors, Ding Yanyuhang—who was already struggling for minutes there—would likely see his playing time shrink even further. And next season just happened to be Ding’s contract year.
If he still couldn’t produce, the poor guy might be staring unemployment right in the face.
After the Bulls used the 30th pick to select Kevin Porter Jr., the first round of the draft finally came to an end.
“Any news?”
As Adam Silver stepped off the stage, Chen Yilun turned to Graham.
“There are a few teams willing to talk trades, but none of the offers look particularly good.”
Graham walked over and began explaining.
“Per your instructions, we’ve put all of our second-round picks on the market. The problem is, those teams aren’t very willing to trade future assets with us.”
The league never lacked smart people. The rising value of second-round picks was practically a given, and general managers were no longer eager to casually move them.
“There is one offer that looks decent, though.”
Graham glanced at the notes on his phone.
“Dallas is willing to trade their 37th pick for our 41st pick plus the 55th pick.”
“What do you think?”
Chen Yilun gave it a brief glance.
“I think it works.”
Graham answered almost immediately.
“Our 55th pick and the remaining 50th pick, even packaged together, would probably only get us a future second-rounder—and not even a good one. Those late picks are basically dead weight for us.”
“No matter how we use them, we lose value. If Dallas is willing to take one of those late picks off our hands, that’s already a win. On top of that, we move up four spots.”
“Sounds good.”
Chen Yilun smiled and nodded.
“Go ahead and handle it your way.”
As Graham turned and headed off to make preparations, Chen Yilun felt an unexpected sense of comfort settle in.
This was nice. Under his gradual adjustments, the Kings were becoming more and more orderly.
Coming from a business family, Chen Yilun’s ultimate goal had always been to build a complete, reliable management team.
From the looks of it, his people had done well during this stretch. Starting next season, he could slowly delegate more authority, content to sit back and focus on steering the overall direction as president.
“Boss, there’s a small thing I’d like to discuss with you.”
While Graham was out making a call, the current general manager, McNair, walked over to Chen Yilun.
“If it’s just a small thing, then you, the big-shot GM, can handle it yourself.”
Chen Yilun replied without even looking up.
“It’s not exactly that small.”
McNair glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention, before continuing.
“When I was scouting various colleges, I came across a kid. His potential isn’t anything special, and the scouting department thinks he’ll probably go undrafted. But I feel like there’s something there.”
“His defensive instincts, his grit—he feels like a decent lottery ticket to hold onto. So if you haven’t already planned something for the 50th pick, I’d like to use it to take him.”
...
Chapter 417: The Twin Towers (3)
“A lottery ticket?”
McNair’s words instantly caught Chen Yilun’s interest.
“A lottery ticket is great. I love scratching lottery tickets. Go on—tell me what you’ve got.”
To Chen Yilun, whether the 50th pick was traded or used didn’t really matter. If McNair wanted to spend it, he could have it.
Even if McNair picked someone who never played a single NBA game, it wouldn’t be a big deal.
The Kings’ drafts over the past two years had been dazzling.
Whether lottery picks or second-round steals, they hadn’t missed once. That kind of track record naturally drew plenty of envy around the league.
Using a basically meaningless second-round pick to muddy the waters a bit was something Chen Yilun was more than happy to do.
“Who is it?”
“You probably don’t know him. Just an unknown guy.”
Seeing Chen Yilun genuinely interested, McNair visibly relaxed.
“A freshman guard from Arizona State University—Lugentz Dort!”
“Who?!”
Chen Yilun’s eyes widened the instant he heard the name.
Dort? That Dort who would later end up with the Thunder?
“The kid from Maple Leaf country?”
Chen Yilun asked with a frown.
“Yes, yes! Boss, you know him too?”
McNair grew a little excited when Chen Yilun immediately called out the player’s nationality.
“Uh… I’ve heard the name before. If you want to take him, go ahead. Send him to the G League for a couple of years and see how he develops.”
Afraid of saying too much and giving himself away, Chen Yilun quickly shut his mouth.
Still, McNair’s words jogged his memory.
If he remembered correctly, the undrafted market after this year’s draft was stacked with talent.
The 2019 class was famously considered a super year for undrafted players, on par with 2016.
Aside from Dort, whom McNair had mentioned somewhat awkwardly, the most famous group would be the undrafted core that later formed the Heat’s legendary Black Eight run.
Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus—every one of them came from the 2019 undrafted pool.
Even if his own team already had more talent than it could use, those players would be extremely useful across his other teams.
After quietly filing that away in his mind, Chen Yilun turned his attention back to the draft.
“With the 7th pick of the second round, the Dallas Mavericks select Daniel Gafford from Arkansas State University, and trade him to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the Kings’ 41st and 55th picks!”
Locked in.
With both Washington and Gafford now on board, the Kings’ future interior strength had taken a massive leap.
“With the 25th pick of the second round, the Sacramento Kings select Lugentz Dort from Arizona State University!”
With Dort added, the Kings’ draft night officially came to a perfect close.
“This roster just keeps getting weirder the more I look at it.”
Staring at the current lineup, Chen Yilun couldn’t help but laugh.
The team already had Murray, a known thorn in opponents’ sides, and Dillon Brooks in the G League, who was about to be promoted to the main roster.
Now they’d added Washington, the “human arms-crossed embodiment,” and Dort, an unremarkable yet gifted flopping prodigy.
If Chen Yilun remembered correctly, in the original timeline, Washington and Dort were bitter rivals who looked ready to reenact Fist of Fury right on the court.
“So just like that, my Kings are turning into a Bad Boys squad?”
Pushing aside his internal commentary, Chen Yilun quickly pulled out his phone and dialed.
“Boss, the draft’s already over and you’re only calling now?”
Blackstone’s voice came through the line.
This year, the 76ers’ draft position was awkward—too high to ignore, too low to matter—so Chen Yilun hadn’t bothered getting involved. Blackstone had gone full freestyle, using the 24th pick to strike a deal with the Nets.
In return, he got the 29th pick and two future second-rounders.
With that 29th pick, Blackstone had hoped to grab Poole or Johnson, but both were taken. After digging through Chen Yilun’s recommendation list, he ultimately selected Nicolas Claxton.
With that addition in place, Philadelphia’s Embiid could finally drift out to the perimeter with a straight face.
“Cut the chatter. Time’s tight—listen carefully.”
Chen Yilun spoke without hesitation.
“Have your people go find someone immediately.”
“A wing from DePaul University named Max Strus. He’s an undrafted player from this class. I’ve watched his games—he’s solid and has real development upside. Sign him right away. If you’re late, someone else will grab him.”
“Got it, got it!”
Blackstone instantly dropped his playful tone.
Here it was again—the thing the Asian Hyena was best at.
Blackstone never doubted Chen Yilun’s eye. Every undrafted player he picked or developed turned out to be useful, without exception.
Earlier, just to pry Ham loose, Chen Yilun had half-gifted Finney-Smith to Budenholzer.
Now Smith was firmly entrenched as the Hawks’ starting small forward.
“One more guy.”
Chen Yilun continued without pause.
“Take a look at Miami. They signed an undrafted player last year named Duncan Robinson. Coach Spoelstra’s been working with him for a full season now—he should have some bite. See if you can pry him away.”
“I know what to do.”
Blackstone was familiar with Duncan Robinson.
The Heat were famous around the league as a track-and-field factory—cheap, durable, and relentless young players.
A big reason the Heat would later become a paradise for undrafted players was Pat Riley’s internal development system, which gave those overlooked guys real chances to go head-to-head with elite prospects.
After just one season of training, Duncan Robinson was already starting to resemble that tireless, deadly shooter he would become.
If Blackstone could snag Robinson, it would be a huge boost to the 76ers’ future.
Especially with Simmons on the roster, players like Robinson and Strus—who could provide real perimeter firepower while also swinging positions—were incredibly valuable.
After hanging up on Blackstone, Chen Yilun made another call.
“What is it, boss? Another task?”
Peja’s familiar voice came through the line. He’d been in Brooklyn for a year now.
Even though Peja was now running his own team, almost everyone who had come up under Chen Yilun still called him “boss.”
“What’s going on with Kevin?”
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
This year, the Nets were focused entirely on free agency and had little interest in the draft.
“I want to put a couple of names on your radar.”
Chen Yilun said as he strolled slowly down the hallway.
“Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent. Keep an eye on them. If the fit is right, sign them—they’ll definitely help with your future plans.”
“Oh, and one more.”
Chen Yilun thought for a moment before continuing.
“There’s a second-round pick in the Rockets’ affiliate system named Isaiah Hartenstein. There’s a good chance the Rockets cut him this year. Find an opportunity and buy him out.”
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser
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