Chen Yilun sat on the sofa, quietly watching the names flash across the screen one by one.
"Did we submit it?"
He asked casually.
"It's submitted."
Peja, sitting beside him, nodded, then frowned slightly.
"Boss, maybe I'm missing something, but with our current roster, why draft another guard?"
Peja's question was one the entire front office had been wondering about.
The team already had steady guards like CJ and Booker, with reliable backups such as Murray and VanVleet. At this point, adding another guard seemed unnecessary—almost redundant.
"For the future," Chen Yilun replied, explaining patiently.
"Don't be fooled by the league's current obsession with wings. In my eyes, the future still belongs to guards."
He adjusted his posture and continued,
"The league is speeding up. Teams are playing faster, taking more shots. In this kind of environment, a quality guard is the key to building a competitive team quickly."
"These young guards might not fit our plans right now, but as long as we hold onto them, their value will grow with time."
While the Kings' management continued their discussion, Mark Tatum stepped onto the stage once again.
"With the 41st pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Dillon Brooks from the University of Oregon!"
By now, the draft was nearing its end, and most of the media's attention was still focused on the stars from the first round.
Brooks' selection barely made a ripple—like a pebble dropped into the ocean.
"It's over!"
Malone leaned back at the conference table, wiping sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
"So, what's the plan with Brooks? Is he staying on the roster or being handed off to the young miss?"
"He'll start in the G-League, of course," Chen Yilun said, straightening his clothes as he stood up.
"Even though we lost a few guards this offseason, the kids we drafted last year are already chomping at the bit for their chance."
He began counting on his fingers.
"Murray will start at point guard. All he really needs to do is get the ball past half court. For backups, I'll probably rotate LeVert and Caruso."
Listening to his plans, Malone nodded approvingly.
The Kings had truly entered a healthy cycle.
Especially in the backcourt—each position had its successor lined up. Whoever left, there was someone ready to take over.
"Remember to give Brooks a call later," Chen Yilun added as he got dressed. "He's officially one of our guys now. Let's not skip the formalities."
"Where are you off to?"
Malone couldn't help but ask as he watched Chen Yilun head for the door.
Even if they were out of draft picks, it was customary for teams to stay until the very last name was called.
"I'm not leaving, just dropping by somewhere," Chen Yilun said over his shoulder.
"Still feel a bit unsatisfied—gonna see if I can pull off one more move."
He left without looking back, leaving the staff exchanging confused glances.
...
"What took you so long?"
In the VIP café of Barclays Center, Raptors GM Ujiri sat in the corner, watching as Chen Yilun approached.
"Had to wait for my second-round pick," Chen Yilun said, grabbing a drink and sitting beside him.
"Coffee this late at night? Aren't you afraid you won't sleep?"
Ujiri gave him a look like he was from another planet.
"You think anyone's sleeping tonight? Free agency opens right after this! You're really that relaxed?"
"There's still a few days left," Chen Yilun chuckled, waving it off. "Anyway, you already know what I'm here for."
Ujiri nodded.
"You want OG Anunoby, huh? Go on—name your price."
In truth, Ujiri wasn't particularly attached to Anunoby.
The Raptors were focused on breaking out of the East, and a raw, physical forward like OG didn't add much to their immediate push.
So when Chen Yilun approached him for a trade, Ujiri was open to listening.
"I'll give you Philly's 2022 first-round pick, plus a second-rounder. Not bad, right?"
Chen Yilun took a sip of orange juice and gave him a playful wink.
"Talk properly," Ujiri said dryly.
He was a straight-laced executive, never amused by Chen Yilun's antics.
"You're offering a protected first and some random second-round pick for my Anunoby? Did you drink before coming here?"
He shook his head.
"We don't need picks—I want someone who can help us win now."
"No picks?"
Chen Yilun blinked, genuinely surprised. He hadn't considered that angle.
"Then who do you want?" he asked cautiously.
"Your Siakam's been underperforming, hasn't he? Send him my way," Ujiri suggested.
Before he even finished, Chen Yilun was already shaking his head furiously.
"No way. Siakam's part of our long-term plan. I can't give him up."
What a joke—he came here to make a profit, not lose one. Trading Siakam for OG wouldn't just be bad; it'd be robbery—against him.
"Siakam for OG? You'd have to throw in assets just to make that fair," Chen Yilun said with a grin.
The two players were similar in age, position, even draft range—but Siakam had already spent a year developing under his system and had dominated the NBDL last season.
No matter how you looked at it, Siakam's value was higher.
"So who are you willing to part with? I'm looking for immediate help," Ujiri pressed, getting to the point.
"Your guy Bojan's contract is up, right? Maybe we could—"
"Do you think you're the only one with eyes?" Chen Yilun cut him off instantly.
"You're not the first to ask about Bojan. He's a free agent now—just bid for him directly. Why come to me?"
Then, mid-sentence, something seemed to click in Chen Yilun's mind.
"Wait a minute. Why's everyone so obsessed with Bojan? He's not my only shooter, you know."
Ujiri's eyes lit up with interest.
Chen Yilun smiled faintly.
"I've got Ben too. Interested?"