After signing his name with deliberate care on the thick contract, Chen Yilun let out a long breath. Moments earlier, he had officially left the Spurs and stepped into his new role as General Manager of the Kings.
Across the table sat five people he would be working closely with from now on.
At the center was the team owner, Vivek Ranadive — a veteran Indian tech entrepreneur from Silicon Valley, his gaze sharp and calculating.
Seated beside him was the only woman in the room — his daughter, Anjali. The moment Chen's eyes met hers, he instinctively swallowed.
Having been reborn, he recognized her instantly. Online, she was often mentioned alongside the Bucks owner's daughter as two celebrated beauties from opposite coasts. Anjali had a striking mix of features — a vivid red bindi between her brows, paired with high cheekbones and a strong nose bridge that gave her an elegant, cosmopolitan look.
Rebirth had its perks: people he'd once only seen in news photos were now right across the table.
At the far end sat head coach Mike Malone, dressed in a tracksuit and baseball cap, watching Chen with a mix of curiosity and appraisal. The media had been buzzing nonstop since the news broke:
"Chen Yilun Becomes the Youngest GM in NBA History"
"Desperate Gamble or Bold Vision? Inside the Kings' Latest Move"
"The Mysterious Man from the East — What Makes Him GM Material?"
Most coverage was skeptical, dismissing Chen's abilities and speculating on how soon he'd be fired. A few outlets — mainly in San Antonio and among Chinese-run publications — voiced support, but they were drowned out by the criticism.
On the far right sat two figures who would be his future partners: Kings legends Peja and Divac.
Just as Chen drew a breath to give his first speech, a sudden voice echoed in his mind:
"Host contract detected. Matching system…"
Beep! "Strongest General Manager System activated. Please check immediately!"
…I…
Chen froze. So I have a system too? He had thought his second life was simply a chance to start over — but this was even better.
"Manager Chen, what are you thinking?" Anjali asked, blinking with curiosity. She had to admit, he was an impressive-looking man — sharp-featured, confident, and composed.
"Ah, sorry," he replied, her voice snapping him out of his thoughts. "I was just considering our next steps now that the contract's signed."
"Oh?" Ranadive leaned forward. "Mr. Chen, could you explain in detail? I'm very interested in your ideas. Hiring you was a big decision."
This boss wasn't going to be easy. Chen had heard about Ranadive's controlling nature and short temper, and now the rumors seemed true.
"The Kings are still in rebuilding mode," Chen began. "We have the eighth pick this year, which isn't a top position. My thought is to focus on adding young talent, build for a year, and then push for the playoffs next season."
It was a cautious, logical approach. The Kings had finished 13th in the West last year — a leap to the playoffs now was unlikely and risky. Better to strengthen the foundation first.
"No."
The word came sharply from Ranadive. "Anyone can tank. If that's all I wanted, I could have hired anyone. You're Popovich's protégé — this year, we're making the playoffs. That's an order."
Chen's jaw tightened. Popovich's protégé, sure — but not a miracle worker. Did the man even realize what roster he had?
Still, Chen noticed Malone giving him a small nod. The coach clearly agreed with his assessment.
Malone, a seasoned hand, understood roster building far better than the half-formed ideas of Ranadive. In the brutal Western Conference, turning this roster into a playoff team in one year was near impossible.
Chen took a steadying breath. "Mr. Ranadive, I'm a manager, not a magician. I can't turn stones into gold. What I've learned is to wait, prepare, and act when the moment is right — like a crocodile."
"A crocodile?" Ranadive frowned slightly.
"A crocodile can float motionless for hours, looking like driftwood. But the moment prey appears, it strikes with incredible speed, dragging it under until the hunt is finished. That's what we need to be right now — patient but ready."
The metaphor seemed to resonate. Ranadive admired the crocodile's cold, ruthless nature — traits he sought to emulate in business.
"But I can promise you this," Chen added. "The Kings will improve this year — maybe even surprise you."
It was a classic Popovich tactic: deliver the hard truth, then offer a motivating promise.
Ranadive's expression softened. "You mentioned the eighth pick earlier. What's your view on the draft?"
Chen straightened. The 2014 first-round eighth pick was their most valuable asset after Cousins, especially with the hype around this class as the best since 2003.
"What was the original plan?" he asked.
"The main targets are Noah Vonleh, Elfrid Payton, and Nick Stauskas," Ranadive said. "We'll decide after workouts, but right now management leans toward Stauskas."
If not for professional restraint, Chen would have buried his face in his hands. Of all the options, they had managed to steer away from the right choice. Stauskas was a perimeter shooter with limited physical tools, unlikely to become a core piece.
Sensing his hesitation, Malone asked, "Mr. Chen, do you have a different take?"
"Just call me Yilun," Chen replied. "With a mid-lottery pick, we're in a no-man's land. I've reviewed this year's class thoroughly, and my idea is… trade the pick down."
"Trade down?" Divac's tone carried disapproval. Stauskas had been his suggestion — he saw in him echoes of his old teammate Peja. Nostalgia for the Kings' glory days ran deep, and now this newcomer wanted to disrupt their vision.
"My point is," Chen continued, ignoring Divac's glare, "this pick won't land us a top-tier prospect. We could trade it for a later pick and an additional future first-rounder. Using the eighth pick on a player without elite upside is not good asset management."
"And you think getting a lower pick will keep us from sliding further?" Divac shot back.
"I'm the GM," Chen said evenly. "My job is to protect the team's interests, secure our future, and grow revenue — not indulge unrealistic fantasies. Even if we keep the pick, as long as I'm here, Stauskas will not be our choice at number eight."
"You—!" Divac started, but Ranadive raised a hand to stop him.
Chen's stance, though firm, appealed to Ranadive. Performance mattered, but profit came first. Why else buy a team if not to make it stronger financially? Chen's reasoning fit perfectly: secure stability, then chase success.
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