Chen Yilun stepped out of Oklahoma City International Airport, sunglasses on, suitcase in tow.
This trip had been arranged with extreme discretion—he'd gone to great lengths to keep his movements hidden from everyone in the circle.
But the moment he walked out of the terminal, the scene in front of him left him stunned.
A stretched limousine was parked blatantly at the airport entrance. Leaning against the door was a tall white man, watching Chen Yilun's group with an amused smirk.
"Tsk!"
Chen Yilun clicked his tongue.
"So, we've been found out after all."
He took off his sunglasses and flashed a bright smile.
"Sam! You're here too."
Thunder GM Sam Presti chuckled and came over, embracing him in greeting.
"Why wouldn't I be? With the hyena showing up in Oklahoma, if I didn't step in, you'd tear the Thunder apart."
"I'm not that dramatic."
Chen Yilun laughed, though a trace of guilt flickered beneath the smile.
"It is that dramatic."
Presti gave him a knowing look. "Ever since you poached Coach Chip, the old teacher Popovich said you had rebellion written all over you. He told us to keep our guard up against you."
"The old man knows about that?!"
Chen Yilun's jaw dropped. That old fox even knows about this stuff? He rubbed the back of his head.
It felt flat enough—so where was this so-called "rebel bone"?
"Cut the crap." Presti rolled his eyes. "Don't think I don't know why you're here. You've set your sights on my Kevin, haven't you?"
"What do you mean 'your Kevin'?"
With the truth out in the open, Chen Yilun didn't bother to hide it anymore.
"Kevin's a free agent now—what's that got to do with you?"
"Hey! Watch your mouth!"
Presti bristled. "We're his original team. Of course we get priority."
"Yeah, right."
Chen Yilun scoffed.
"Don't try to play the sentimental card. You think these tricks will keep Durant? Just let him go chase a championship already."
His words weren't baseless.
Durant's departure had shocked the world at the time, but anyone paying close attention would have seen the warning signs.
It began when management fired Coach Brooks—someone Durant deeply respected—and replaced him with NCAA coach Billy Donovan.
Donovan's first move after taking over was to elevate Westbrook's role, steadily cutting down Durant's ball-handling. That's why, for two straight seasons, fans noticed Durant often struggled just to touch the ball.
But the real spark was how little the Thunder valued Durant.
For a superstar of his caliber, most teams would've rushed to secure an early extension long before his contract expired. Instead, the Thunder dragged their feet, letting Durant reach free agency without lifting a finger.
Maybe they had made private overtures—no one knew for sure. But even if they had, neither the money nor the promises were enough to satisfy Durant.
As the saying goes: nothing happens by accident.
Presti could only smile bitterly at Chen Yilun's confidence.
"Everyone says that. Oklahoma City feels like a flea market right now."
That instantly put Chen Yilun on edge.
"Who else is here? Everyone's sneaking around like thieves—no one knows a thing."
"You come to poach Durant and still ask me that?"
Presti laughed, half in anger. But in the end, he spilled the details.
"Pat Riley showed up yesterday. Had a meeting with Durant's team, but nothing concrete came out of it. Gar Forman from the Bulls is here too, but he can't even get a word in.
Danny Ainge should be arriving soon—he's staying at the same hotel as you guys.
As for the rest…" Presti paused.
"Popovich and the Logo are expected in the next couple of days. And rumor has it the Zen Master wants in on the fun too."
"Holy hell…"
Chen Yilun felt his head throb.
Tiny Oklahoma City was suddenly the stage for a gathering of the league's top executives.
The Heat, Bulls, Celtics, Spurs, Warriors, and his own Kings.
Throw in the Thunder still clinging to hope—that made it a seven-team free-for-all.
"And that's just what I know."
Presti grinned at Chen Yilun's dismay, enjoying his frustration. "There could be others sneaking in. Word is, Daryl Morey from the Rockets has gone dark these past couple days—no one knows where he went."
"Where there's a will, there's a way."
Chen Yilun waved it off casually. "I was going to invite you for dinner, but with things like this, you'll be swamped. We'll catch up after it's over."
"No way I'm letting you buy me dinner right now."
Presti chuckled. "We're rivals, and I won't be holding back."
After a few more words of small talk, Chen Yilun parted with his senior and climbed into his SUV.
The moment the door closed, the bright smile on his face vanished without a trace.
"This is tougher than we thought."
He tossed his briefcase onto the seat, leaned back, and shut his eyes.
"Durant's the biggest fish this summer, so of course everyone's circling—but this is way over the top."
Peja tried to console him softly.
"And this is just the first wave." Chen Yilun kept his eyes shut. "Wait until the GMs of the bottom-feeder teams show up—that's when the real chaos begins."
"When's our meeting with Durant?"
"Tomorrow at two in the afternoon."
Peja checked his laptop. "Thaddeus Young and Butler land tonight. They'll join us at the meeting."
Chen Yilun had gone all out for this. Thaddeus Young and Durant both came from the 2007 draft class and had a decent relationship off the court. And as the current leader of the Kings, Butler's presence was crucial—Durant needed to see the team's commitment firsthand.
"What's Jimmy's stance?"
Chen Yilun asked suddenly.
"So far, he's good. He was actually pretty excited when he heard we were going after Durant."
"Good."
Chen Yilun nodded. Butler had just taken over as team leader last season. If Durant didn't sign and Butler felt slighted, the fallout could be disastrous.
"Everyone stay sharp."
Chen Yilun slowly opened his eyes.
"This is our first real battle with those veteran foxes for a superstar. We need to fire the first shot—and make it a perfect one."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser