bayedsolid Chapter 168 You've Been Traded!!!
Chapter 168 You've Been Traded!!!
Unlike Guo Haowen, Yu Jiahao, a large center, is a completely reverse version of the game.
Although he showed some three-point shooting ability in the Summer League, his efficiency didn't seem to be that good in the actual tryouts.
This puzzled the scout who recommended him.
Is it because Chinese people are shy and nervous when they see so many foreigners?
Zeng Fanbo and Zhang Zhenlin both performed exceptionally well in the Summer League.
Zeng Fanbo averages 14 points and 3 rebounds per game, with a three-point shooting percentage as high as 39%. He can be used as a three-point shooter.
Zhang Zhenlin can also average 14 points and 4 rebounds per game. His three-point shooting percentage is a bit lower, but it is still over 35%.
However, his superior athleticism and tenacious defensive style have attracted the attention of many teams.
If these people were American, scouts from various teams wouldn't even give them a second glance.
But they weren't, which attracted the attention of many scouts.
Many teams have sent their scouts in the hopes of signing a Chinese player.
Even if it's purely for market reasons, signing a two-way contract is still a worthwhile investment.
In just one year, Wang Xiucheng brought the NBA's influence in China to an unprecedented level.
Signing a contract with a Chinese person is as easy as picking up money; they can travel around China in the summer.
Who would hate money?
So even though these players' performances seem somewhat different from those in the Summer League, it hasn't affected the interest of various teams in them.
Ma Xiaoxuan, who had just finished her work in China, returned to the United States a few days ago without stopping.
Zeng Fanbo and Zhang Zhenlin seem to have secretly agreed to hire Ma Xiaoxuan as their agent.
Wang Xiucheng was also somewhat surprised at the time.
Both of them originally had management companies, but when it comes to professionalism and responsibility towards the players, Ma Xiaoxuan's abilities and sense of responsibility are evident to them.
Moreover, with Wang Xiucheng's connection, they believed it was even more advantageous for them.
Wang Xiucheng told Ma Xiaoxuan the news and let her make her own decision.
Ma Xiaoxuan initially refused.
Wang Xiucheng alone kept her so busy she was practically running around like crazy.
She shuttles between the US and China, keeping herself extremely busy with various legal matters.
If two more are added, she'll be exhausted sooner or later.
"Why don't you hire a few people?"
Wang Xiucheng's suggestion made Ma Xiaoxuan seriously consider it.
In fact, Ma Xiaoxuan did register a company, but she was the only employee there.
If we really want to add Zeng Fanbo and Zhang Zhenlin, then we will indeed need a few more people.
And so, Ma Xiaoxuan flew back to the United States as soon as she finished dealing with matters in China.
As for the NBA, the league, which is usually scheduled to release the new season schedule in August, has not released a new schedule this year.
Many journalists believe that the league is waiting for a major trade to happen.
In particular, both of the Nets' two stars, Durant and Irving, believe they may be traded.
Everyone is watching to see how the Nets will handle these two superstars.
One day in September, at a private hospital in Los Angeles.
Looking at his daughter in the incubator, even Wang Xiucheng, who had long anticipated this scene, couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness.
Wang Xiucheng kissed the weak Jenna on the forehead and whispered, "Thank you for your hard work."
Jenna shook her head and smiled, "It's not hard work."
"You should rest first."
Wang Xiucheng gently closed the door and went to the outer room.
"Thank you for coming." Wang Xiucheng looked at Jenna's sisters and Kylie Jenna in the outer room.
They all came when Jenna gave birth for the first time, which Wang Xiucheng didn't expect.
To avoid making Jenna nervous or uncomfortable, Wang Xiucheng didn't even invite his parents and sister to come.
“It’s good that you’re alright,” Kim Kardashian said.
“Everyone, go home now. I’ll invite you all to dinner at my house after Jenna is discharged,” Wang Xiucheng said.
Courtney, Khloe, and Kim all nodded and left the hospital.
Kylie Jenner deliberately walked at the back, and said to Wang Xiucheng in a low voice, somewhat unhappy, "I can give birth too."
Wang Xiucheng felt somewhat helpless. Of course she could have children, and she had already given birth to two.
Compared to her younger sister, Jenner is a complete novice in this area.
In the end, Wang Xiucheng did not follow Jenna's wishes and went to Akron, near Cleveland, thousands of miles away.
Instead, she chose a private hospital in which Kim Kardashian has a stake.
Back inside, Wang Xiucheng found Jenna asleep. He sat on the sofa, took out his phone to let his parents know he was safe, and also to let them see what their granddaughter looked like.
……
Time flies and it is July.
Teams started their training camps in September to prepare for the new season.
The same applies to natural rockets.
However, Wang Xiucheng unusually took leave and did not participate, staying in Los Angeles to be with Jenna and their first child.
With the help of their new agent Ma Xiaoxuan, Zeng Fanbo and Zhang Zhenlin both signed two-way contracts.
Zeng Fanbo was eventually signed by the Brooklyn Nets to a one-year two-way contract.
Surprisingly, Zhang Zhenlin was also signed by the Rockets to a one-year two-way contract.
Zeng Fanbo is one thing, but this two-way contract is something that Boss Cai will give him sooner or later.
Back during the draft, there were rumors that the Nets would buy a second-round pick with cash to select Zeng Fanbo, but for some reason, this did not happen.
The signing of Zhang Zhenlin by the Rockets has been widely interpreted by many media outlets, especially those in China, as a gesture of goodwill towards Wang Xiucheng.
It's like the Bucks wanted to sign all of Giannis's brothers just to get him.
Although many media outlets believe that Zhang Zhenlin does not yet possess the ability to play in the NBA.
Guo Haowen and Yu Jiahao's situations are not as good as the previous two.
In the end, Ma Xiaoxuan opted for a 10-day short-term contract for the two players, allowing them to play in the upcoming preseason.
After spending a few more days with Jenner and the children in Los Angeles, Wang Xiucheng decided to return to the team.
The Rockets had two preseason games scheduled by the league to be played in China this year.
Wang Xiucheng is going back to China to play with the team.
According to the venue, the team will depart in five days.
Sitting in the courtyard, Wang Xiucheng called Stone.
The call didn't go through on the first try, but Wang Xiucheng didn't think much of it. Stone was probably busy, after all, the season was about to start and the team had a lot to do.
Jenna came out carrying the baby, sat down next to Wang Xiucheng, and asked him, "Are you going back to Houston tomorrow?"
Wang Xiucheng nodded.
Jenner will not return to Houston with Wang Xiucheng; the weather and environment in Los Angeles are more suitable for her and her child.
A few minutes later, Wang Xiucheng took out his phone and made another call.
This time, there was another ten seconds or so without anyone answering.
Just when Wang Xiucheng thought no one would answer, Stone's voice came through the phone.
"Hey, Wang, how have you been lately?"
"Not bad," Wang Xiucheng replied with a smile. "I'm going back to Houston tomorrow, and I should be able to rejoin the team this afternoon."
Stone seemed to pause for a few seconds on the phone before speaking.
He stammered for a long time before he could speak, which was unusual for him.
"Is that so, Your Majesty? Why don't you rest for a few more days?"
Stone stammered.
Wang Xiucheng was stunned.
Should we rest for a few more days?
What do you mean?
The team started training camp a long time ago, and Jalen Green and Shen Jing posted training photos on social media almost every day.
Jabari Smith Jr. and Ethan frequently called Wang Xiucheng.
It seems they were badly beaten by Jalen Green and Shen Jing in the training scrimmage and desperately wanted Wang Xiucheng to come back and support them.
Logically speaking, the team's management should have been angry long ago after I took such a long leave.
It would be normal for them to call Wang Xiucheng at this point and ask him to return to the team immediately.
But not only did this not happen, when Wang Xiucheng called to ask to return to the team, he was even told, "Why don't you rest for a few more days?"
Should we rest for a few more days?
A bad feeling crept into Wang Xiucheng's heart.
Jenna, who was holding her child next to her, also had a slight frown on her brow.
Wang Xiucheng didn't press for details, but instead said to Stone on the phone, "Okay, I'll wait for your notification."
Wang Xiucheng's answer relieved Stone on the other side.
What he feared most was Wang Xiucheng asking him what had happened, and even using the Chinese fans and media behind him.
After hanging up the phone, Wang Xiucheng thought for a moment and then called Ma Xiaoxuan again.
As soon as the call connected, the distinctive sound of basketball shoes rubbing against the floor of a basketball court could be heard.
Without wasting words, Wang Xiucheng said directly, "Sister Xuan, I have a bad feeling. Can you find out if the Rockets want to trade me?"
Ma Xiaoxuan, on the other end of the phone, was visibly stunned when she heard Wang Xiucheng's words.
Seemingly realizing the seriousness of the matter quickly, Ma Xiaoxuan simply said, "I understand."
Then Ma Xiaoxuan hung up the phone on her own initiative.
Jenna looked at Wang Xiucheng with concern and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I feel like the Rockets want to trade me," Wang Xiucheng said.
Jenner's expression changed at first, then she said incredulously, "Are the Rockets crazy?"
Wang Xiucheng smiled. The NBA is, after all, a business. No matter who it is, they can be traded.
As long as the price is right.
Besides, he was just a rookie who had only been playing for a year.
Although Wang Xiucheng doesn't care where he plays, even going to freezing Toronto wouldn't be a problem for him.
However, being traded without informing the player is considered disrespectful to the player.
Although this happens frequently in the league.
Some people only find out they've been traded from others during the All-Star Game.
NBA players are public figures, and they care about their image.
A dozen minutes later, Ma Xiaoxuan called.
"The Rockets seem to be preparing for something big these past two days, but no one in the upper echelons knows what it is. It seems like Stone is handling it personally."
Ma Xiaoxuan also has her own "informant" in the Rockets, but this person doesn't seem to know much about her.
Wang Xiucheng thought this was normal. Even Shams and Woj haven't had any news about it yet, which shows how high-level the person in charge of this matter is.
After hanging up the phone, Wang Xiucheng lay back on the sofa, squinting his eyes slightly, enjoying the bright Los Angeles sunshine while embracing the beautiful woman and child beside him.
I can finally rest for a few more days.
The next day, Wang Xiucheng, along with Ma Wei, boarded Jenna's plane and left Los Angeles for Las Vegas.
He will continue with his plans.
It's already October, and the final date of my plan is getting closer and closer.
Jenna naturally knew what Wang Xiucheng was doing in Las Vegas.
She also knew about the news that Wang Xiucheng had lost a lot of money in Las Vegas during the Summer League.
These news stories are censored in China, but they're not in the US because they're so common.
In Jenner's opinion, what's wrong with men having some hobbies?
Wang Xiucheng doesn't smoke or drink excessively. He just goes to Las Vegas occasionally. What's wrong with that?
So what if you lose tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars each time?
It's not like she can't afford it.
Is gambling better than going out and messing around with women?
Stratosphere Hotel.
Wang Xiucheng and Ma Wei arrived at the "big room" again, where Evans was already waiting.
During Wang Xiucheng's time back in China, he frequently called Wang Xiucheng to maintain contact with this "big spender".
Wang Xiucheng did not disappoint him. Although Wang Xiucheng himself could not come, the Wu brothers, Wu Di and Wu Jia, who stayed in the United States, often came with Wang Xiucheng's "missions".
During this period, Wang Xiucheng didn't even come in person, yet he still contributed over 100,000 yuan in sales to Evans.
Tens of thousands sounds like a lot.
But for an NBA player with an annual salary of tens of millions, it's nothing.
A star player of Harden's caliber would spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars every time he goes to a nightclub.
"Mr. Wang, there have been a lot of upsets in the Premier League recently, with Manchester City and Arsenal losing one after another. I think there will be even bigger upsets in this week's matches."
Evans led Wang Xiucheng into a room and, while speaking, pulled up a list of matches he had prepared earlier on his computer.
Outside the door, Wu Di and Wu Jia casually grabbed two bottles of water from the bar, and then the two brothers sat on the sofa.
"Brother, Brother Wang has been investing more and more money in online gambling lately," Wu Jia said with some concern.
Wu Di also frowned with worry.
Although it seems easy for Wang Xiucheng to make money now, this is a bottomless pit; he will only sink deeper and deeper until he can no longer extricate himself.
"Brother Wang is still too young and can hardly resist the allure of America. Perhaps he will be better when he gets a little older."
Wang Xiucheng is very good to them; he has now increased their monthly salary to $5000.
They also did not want Wang Xiucheng to go further down this wrong path.
If even Jenner doesn't care, what right do they have to control the "boss"?
Half an hour later, Wu Di and Wu Jia saw the two people from the accounting firm enter Wang Xiucheng's room, chatting and laughing.
Wu Di and Wu Jia clearly saw a hint of mockery in the eyes of the two men, and heard words like "fool".
But the moment they pushed the door open and entered, their expressions returned to normal, and they appeared extremely professional.
Another ten minutes or so later, the door opened.
Wang Xiucheng and Evans walked at the front, with Wang Xiucheng holding a ticket in his hand.
“If we make a win this time, we’ll not only recoup our initial investment in one go, but we’ll also make a considerable profit,” Evans said.
Wang Xiucheng shook his head and laughed, "It's not that easy. Upsets are not easy to happen. Betting on an upset is just betting on an opportunity. For example, in this Manchester City vs. Wolves game, the odds of winning are 1 to 1.3. Even if you win, what's the point?"
"But if you bet on Wolves to win, the odds are 7 to 1, which isn't low, but it's not very interesting."
"But if you bet on Wolves to beat Manchester City 3-1 like I did, the odds would be 20 times. If you add another match with odds of 20 times, that's 400 times. I bet $10,000. Do the math yourself. How much money could I make if it came true?"
Wang Xiucheng laughed heartily, but Evans managed to suppress his laughter.
But the two accountants behind him who were in charge of notarization burst out laughing.
Fortunately, Wang Xiucheng was far enough away that he didn't hear it.
But Wang Xiucheng's words made the others in the hall unable to hold back any longer. They either covered their mouths or turned their heads away, their shoulders shaking.
Evans immediately opened his mouth as if to cover up his mistake, saying, "Mr. Wang, the World Cup starts next month, that's the breeding ground for upsets."
Wang Xiucheng seemed very interested, "The World Cup, that's not a small matter of tens of thousands of yuan."
Upon hearing Wang Xiucheng's words, Evans' eyes lit up slightly; this money-making god had to be protected.
……
The plane had just landed in Los Angeles when Wang Xiucheng's phone rang.
Before getting off the plane, Wang Xiucheng glanced at his phone; it was Ma Xiaoxuan.
"Sister Xuan, what's wrong?"
"Didn't you see the news? You've been traded!"