Chen Yilun sat in the business van, dressed in a plain white shirt.
"Huff… puff…"
At the wheel, Tang Zhou was breathing hard.
"What's with you—out of breath already?"
Chen Yilun turned irritably to glare at him.
"No, no, I'm just nervous," Tang Zhou stammered, eyes locked on the mansion ahead.
It was Durant's residence in Oklahoma City. And Chen Yilun's group wasn't the only one gathered outside the villa.
Across the street, another team van was parked—the ride belonging to the management group currently inside negotiating with Durant.
Meanwhile, swarms of reporters surrounded the villa like vultures, cameras raised, itching to capture the first scoop.
"This is Durant's influence," Malone said with a sigh. "Half the sports media in North America is here."
"The other half's still on their way."
Chen Yilun was about to crack a joke when the van suddenly fell quiet.
The villa's iron gates swung open slowly. Out walked Danny Ainge, Brad Stevens, and the rest of the Celtics management team.
"Sir, they're coming out!" Tang Zhou whispered. "Should I pull up to the entrance so you can get out?"
"No need."
Chen Yilun abruptly slid open the door. "Everyone out. We're walking."
At his command, the group gathered their things and stepped out.
From the vehicle behind them, Butler and Thaddeus Young emerged as well, flanking the group on either side.
The instant Chen Yilun's party appeared, the journalists swarmed like flies to honey, shutters clicking nonstop.
Leading the way, Chen Yilun headed for the villa—crossing paths with the Celtics as they left.
Ainge, wearing a beige polo, strode at the front. When the two groups met, neither offered greetings; only Ainge and Chen Yilun exchanged stiff, perfunctory nods.
By now, there was no appetite for fake pleasantries. On this battlefield, anyone who wasn't on your side was the enemy.
Durant's team was already waiting at the entrance and ushered them straight inside.
...
"Go back and rethink the contract."
That was Danny Ainge's first line once he got back in his car. "Raise the offer, and take another look at the roster construction."
He had spent the meeting making his case with endless eloquence, yet Durant had shown no real enthusiasm.
Back then, moving from the West to the East was often seen as lacking courage. The "Wild West" reputation was no joke.
But Durant's real reason for hesitating was Isaiah Thomas. As the Celtics' lead scorer, Thomas needed the ball constantly in his hands. Durant, already frustrated, had no interest in joining forces with a ball-dominant guard.
"Even if we tweak things, it won't work."
Stevens scratched his head in frustration. "The roster's been built entirely around Isaiah. If we make Durant's adjustments, we'd have to tear the whole thing down and start over."
"Damn it…"
Before Stevens could continue, Ainge's eyes narrowed sharply.
Two more vans had just pulled up.
"Oakland's getting desperate," Ainge muttered, recognizing the arrivals.
"The Logo himself has come to recruit."
...
"Thaddeus! Long time no see."
As Chen Yilun's group entered the mansion, a tall figure strode forward, embracing Thaddeus Young.
"Mr. Chen Yilun, right? Welcome. This is our first proper talk, isn't it?"
After greeting Young, Durant extended his hand politely to Chen Yilun.
"Kevin, I've been wanting to sit down with you as well." Chen Yilun smiled, but he noticed the weariness hidden at the corners of Durant's eyes.
"Rough couple of days, huh?"
"You're telling me." Durant chuckled. "Feels more exhausting than playing a game."
Durant's side consisted of his agent, trainer, and close team members.
"I'll be straight with you."
As soon as they sat down, Chen Yilun got right to the point.
Normally, there would've been some small talk first. But seeing Durant's drained state, Chen Yilun chose to change tactics—better to drop the bait early.
"We sincerely invite you to join us."
Opening his laptop, Chen Yilun laid it out. "Our offer: $27 million per year. You pick the length—whether it's a 1+1 deal or a long-term contract, we'll agree."
The 1+1 meant a two-year deal with a player option for the second. Durant could play one season in Sacramento and, if unhappy, opt out and re-enter free agency immediately.
The direct pitch caught Durant's camp off guard.
After exchanging a glance with Durant, the agent spoke.
"Mr. Chen, the contract itself isn't the issue. The question is whether you can guarantee Kevin's future success…"
"You don't need to worry about that."
Chen Yilun cut him off smoothly.
"This year, we made the Western Conference Finals. And you know how stacked this year's playoffs were."
"If Kevin wants to win a championship, Sacramento is the best and most realistic choice."
"Why do you say that?"
Durant, quiet until now, suddenly spoke.
Seeing Durant's interest, Chen Yilun leaned in.
"Kevin, you want a title, but you also want respect. We're the best option for both."
"First." Chen Yilun raised his palm, looking Durant squarely in the eye.
"If I were you, I'd never go East."
"Why not?" Durant asked, curiosity piqued.
"Partly pride—we're Western guys. But mainly? LeBron."
Chen Yilun's smile faded into intensity. "They've been calling you second to him for years. Don't you want to beat him on the Finals stage, head-to-head, and settle it once and for all?"
The words hit Durant straight in the chest. He nodded, almost involuntarily.
"So, if it's respect you're after, only a few West teams are even in play."
"Second. If you're chasing a ring, only a handful of Western teams have the cap space."
"Us. Golden State. L.A. San Antonio. Houston."
By "L.A.," Chen Yilun meant the Clippers—the Lakers were still floundering, nowhere near Durant's radar.
"L.A. has CP3, Griffin, and Jordan. To get you, they'd have to gut part of that core. Too risky."
"San Antonio may have cap space, but the market's tiny, and the owner's broke. They can't give you what you're worth."
He didn't hesitate to throw shade at his old franchise.
"As for Houston? Forget it. Howard's a deadweight anchor holding them down. If I were you, I wouldn't touch that mess."
Chen Yilun locked eyes with Durant.
"That leaves only us—and Golden State."