Listening to Chen Yilun's words, Durant fell silent, lost in thought.
Over the past two days, countless managers had come and gone, each delivering their own pitch, leaving Durant overwhelmed. But after hearing Chen Yilun's analysis, everything suddenly became clear.
"Then why not go to Golden State? Their roster depth and market size are far superior to yours, aren't they?"
Durant's agent frowned, sitting upright as he questioned.
As a professional agent, he sensed that something wasn't quite right. Throughout the meeting, Chen Yilun had kept complete control over the pace.
"That's exactly what I wanted to address," Chen Yilun said seriously, closing his notebook.
"Let's start with our situation. This year, we reached the Western Conference Finals and even beat that so-called 'fake five-star' Spurs team. I don't think I need to explain how competitive the Kings are right now."
Durant listened closely, nodding like a student absorbing every word.
"Besides, Sacramento has no bad blood with Oklahoma City. If you join us, our fans won't hold any grudges against you."
"We're also a young team, recently built and missing just one true superstar. To ease your concerns, we even brought Jimmy here today."
Chen Yilun glanced at Butler. Catching the cue, Butler cleared his throat and spoke.
"I'd be more than happy to have you join us. Kevin, you know me—I'll do whatever it takes to win. If you're truly the one who can lead us to the top, I won't hesitate to hand the team over to you."
There's a common misconception about Butler—that he's toxic, a locker room problem.
But in truth, Butler's mindset is simple.
If a team doesn't have someone he respects, then he has to be the unquestioned leader. Anyone who can't beat him but still stands above him—he'll pull them down.
That's why, in the original timeline, Butler clashed with Towns and Wiggins in Minnesota, and mocked Embiid and Simmons in Philadelphia.
It wasn't that Butler hated them. In his eyes, they simply weren't worthy of competing with him for leadership, yet management placed them ahead of him. That's what caused the tension.
But when Butler met someone he respected—like Derrick Rose back in Chicago—things were different. Even after Rose returned and his form declined, Butler still respected him and was willing to defer to him as the leader.
As Butler made his promise, Durant's heart began to stir.
A team that had just reached the Western Conference Finals, where he'd walk in as the leader with the core roster still intact—joining the Kings suddenly seemed like a real option.
But hidden within Butler's words was another message: if Durant came and couldn't carry the team to a championship, Butler wouldn't hesitate to challenge his authority.
Seeing Durant waver, Chen Yilun knew it was time to strike.
"We've talked about our situation, Kevin. Now let me tell you why you shouldn't go to the Warriors."
Durant immediately raised his head, focused on every word.
"Joining the Warriors now might guarantee a championship, but it'd make you look like a sellout."
"That's a bit dramatic."
Thinking ahead to the upcoming meeting with the Warriors, Durant's agent couldn't help but wonder if Chen was trying to undermine their pitch.
"I don't even have to guess what Jerry will tell you," Chen Yilun said with a grin. "He'll say not to let loyalty hold you back, that you deserve to win. He'll tempt you with a shot at joining a superteam."
"Sure, that's all fair. He's not wrong about any of it. But there's one thing he won't tell you."
Chen Yilun shifted his chair slightly.
"The timing is too delicate. They just won 73 games and got roasted for it. If you join them now, do I even need to explain what that means?"
"You'll lose your chance to compete with LeBron for historical greatness. You'll be remembered as history's ultimate hired gun, not as a franchise cornerstone."
"And that's not something a bigger market can fix."
When Chen Yilun finished, the entire room went silent.
Durant sat frozen, as if struck by a hammer.
"Not to mention," Chen continued, "you were just eliminated by them in the playoffs. Do you think the media will ignore a defection that blatant? They'll make a huge spectacle out of it—turning you into the league's ultimate villain!"
"Impossible!"
Durant's agent shot up from his seat, facing Chen directly. "If Kevin joins the Warriors, they'll be the league's superteam—the face of the NBA! How could he possibly be seen as the villain?"
"That's just wishful thinking," Chen said calmly, tapping his pen against the table.
The faint tapping sounded heavy in everyone's ears.
"This league has 30 teams. Do you really think one city—Oakland—can stand against all of them? A 73-win team plus Kevin? I can't even imagine how crazy the media storm would get."
Chen Yilun chuckled.
"Let me give you an example. When the Bulls won 72 games, imagine if a peak Charles Barkley had joined them the next year. You lived through that era, Kevin. How would you have felt then? Don't lose your perspective, my dear Kevin."
By now, Chen Yilun had identified his biggest obstacle—the agent.
Since an agent's cut depends on a player's contracts and endorsements, a bigger market like Orlando was naturally more appealing to him.
Who would've thought that even back then, this factor played a role in Durant's decision to join Golden State?
Chen Yilun glanced at Durant, who looked conflicted, and at his agent, whose expression was stiff and uncomfortable.
"There's one more thing I haven't mentioned," Chen said casually, though his tone drew everyone's attention.
"The Warriors' core—Curry, Thompson, and Green—they've been together since their rookie years. They're like brothers. Aren't you worried about dropping in out of nowhere?"
Chen didn't finish the sentence, but the message was clear.
"Since the league was founded decades ago, there have been countless champions—but how many are truly remembered? Not all championships are created equal. Don't ruin your career chasing rings that mean little."
Chen Yilun began packing his things.
"I've said all I need to say. Take some time to consider my proposal carefully. I'll be in Oklahoma City for the next two days—reach out anytime."
As he reached the door, Chen paused and turned back to Durant.
"Think carefully about what I said. Go after something valuable, something unique—something the world will remember."
"Remember this: they were already champions before you ever arrived!"
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser