CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 82: IT’S TIME, I’M GOING TO BRING MY TALENT TO THE NBA!

Looking at the standings, Zeng Xingyang has a more direct understanding of the strength gap between the Eastern and Western Conferences.

The East side is quite excessive, the eighth in the East has 38 wins and 44 losses, which means they can make the playoffs with just 38 wins, and only the top three in the East have records above 50 wins.

On the other hand, in the West, the eighth team has 45 wins and 37 losses, and the top seven teams all have more than 50 wins.

The overall strength gap between the two sides is very large.

It’s clear that the pressure and consumption for the Cavaliers to break out from the East were really much less compared to the Warriors.

Zeng Xingyang focused on the teams ranked lower.

After looking at the records, Zeng Xingyang’s eyes were almost blinded.

What are these teams?

The Lakers’ 21 wins and 61 losses record is only the fourth worst.

Minnesota Timberwolves 16 wins and 66 losses, Knicks 17 wins and 65 losses, 76ers 18 wins and 64 losses.

The coaches of these teams are really something, tanking so thoroughly, losing too much, each one worse than the last.

In Zeng Xingyang’s memory, these teams don’t seem to have won a championship even in the next ten years.

Thorough tanking might help find some foundational stones for the team, but it severely damages the team’s culture.

No one wants to win; this kind of atmosphere is not something that can be changed in the short term.

However, these bad teams will likely compete for Towns, not him; he should focus on teams ranked higher.

Heat, Hornets, Pistons, Magic, Kings, Nuggets, Phoenix Suns.

Barring any major surprises, being selected by one of these teams seems reasonable.

...

"Clang!"

While Zeng Xingyang was thinking, his Inner Cut leveled up.

It upgraded from Level 3 to Level 4.

After the upgrade, Zeng Xingyang glanced at his overall attributes again.

[Defense: Level 4]

[Experience: 11241/20000]

[Notes: Reached NBA elite level, max Level 5]

....

[Dribbling: Level 3]

[Experience: 4202/5000]

[Notes: Reached NBA center level, max Level 10]

.....

[Power: Level 3]

[Experience: 9512/10000]

[Notes: Power has reached the average small forward level in the NBA, max Level 5]

[Shooting: Level 6]

[Experience: 6803/30000]

[Notes: Reached NBA shooter level, max Level 10.]

....

[Positioning: Level 3]

[Experience: 3320/5000]

[Notes: Positioning ability has reached NBA shooter level, max Level 5.]

...

[Speed: Level 6]

[Experience: 421/3000]

[Notes: Speed has reached the average guard level in the NBA, max Level 10.]

....

[Inner Cut: Level 4]

[Experience: 1/10000]

[Notes: Inner Cut ability has reached NBA elite level, max Level 5.]

The attributes of Dribbling, Power, and Positioning are all close to leveling up.

The goal during this time is to improve these attributes.

Without the interference of games and with tryouts not yet happening, Zeng Xingyang focused more on training.

However, before fully devoting himself to training, there’s still a press conference to attend.

The press conference was held right after the finals, and Zeng Xingyang’s purpose was very simple.

The media attending was plentiful, with many Asian reporters present.

Not just domestically, but sports media from other Asian countries were also paying attention to Zeng Xingyang’s moves.

Facing all the cameras, the suited Zeng Xingyang smiled and said, "The NBA has always been my dream since childhood, after experiencing a wonderful college career."

"I think, now is the time."

"I announce, I will take my talents to the NBA!"

"Ka-ka-ka!!!"

Zeng Xingyang officially announced his entry into the draft!

Subsequently, the media conducted interviews with Zeng Xingyang, and Zeng Xingyang answered some official lines provided by Schwartz.

That night, Schwartz also called Zeng Xingyang.

Nike, Adidas, Anta, and Li Ning offered sneaker endorsement quotes.

Nike, 5 years, 10 million US Dollar; Adidas, 3 years, 9 million US Dollar; Anta, 8 years, 40 million US Dollar; Li Ning, 10 years, 45 million US Dollar.

The reason domestic brands dared to offer such long terms is because they see the value in Zeng Xingyang.

Regardless of whether Zeng Xingyang succeeds in the NBA, he is already a success domestically.

Even if he can’t make it in the NBA, returning to the CBA, Zeng Xingyang would still be a superstar, which is why they have the confidence to offer such long contracts.

"Brands with a Chinese background offered longer terms and higher amounts; they are more sincere."

"My suggestion is, PASS on Nike and Adidas, prioritize considering the brands from your country, it will positvely shape your image and maximize your personal interests."

Schwartz provided professional advice.

The fact that four brands almost simultaneously offered prices made Schwartz have a new understanding of Zeng Xingyang’s money-making ability.

Upon hearing the numbers reported by Schwartz, Zeng Xingyang was a bit surprised too.

Unconsciously, his worth had already become so high.

Now as long as he wants, he can become a millionaire at any time.

However, Zeng Xingyang showed a maturity beyond his age and was not dazzled by a series of figures.

Zeng Xingyang said: "Well, prioritize domestic brands for shoe endorsement, then try to discuss the amount further to see if it can be raised, as for the contract term, I will sign for a maximum of three years and can give them the right of first refusal to renew under equal conditions."

Due to political reasons, Zeng Xingyang would not consider Nike or Adidas.

And Zeng Xingyang knew clearly that it was just a matter of time before he became a superstar. If the contract term was too long, his future interests would suffer greatly.

The best way is to sign a short contract as much as possible, and then renegotiate the amount after proving himself in the NBA.

"OK, I’ll go and communicate again." Schwartz received the instruction.

After hanging up the phone, Zeng Xingyang made another call home.

He hung up after talking with his parents for half an hour.

His parents and brother were smoothly getting their visas.

.....

A week after Zeng Xingyang’s closed training, Schwartz’s trial schedule was also released.

Schwartz did not let Zeng Xingyang participate in the joint trial. That kind of trial was unnecessary for Zeng Xingyang and would even expose some weaknesses in his dynamic talent.

He only let Zeng Xingyang participate in trials with teams holding the top 14 picks, which were suitable for his development.

Those teams with crowded backcourts that were not suitable for Zeng Xingyang’s development, even if they sent trial invitations, Zeng Xingyang would not go.

Towns and Booker, similar to Zeng Xingyang, were also actively preparing to try out for their preferred teams.

The difference between popular and unpopular rookies lies in the fact that they have some choice, while the vast majority of rookies do not have the right to refuse. They will go to as many trials as possible since their primary need is survival, not choosing a team better suited for their development.

April 26th.

Zeng Xingyang set off for a Lakers trial.

The Lakers have the second pick this year and hope to choose a guard.

The trial projects included measurements of static and dynamic talents, followed by running and shooting demonstrations similar to his usual training projects, and then a full-court confrontation.

Zeng Xingyang’s strength was evident, and he performed very steadily on the court. In the 55 confrontation game lasting 20 minutes, Zeng Xingyang scored 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds, with three-pointers of 8 out of 5, all of which were three-pointers.

Kobe, who was training in the gym, also watched this confrontation game from the sidelines.

After the full-court confrontation, Zeng Xingyang had a discussion with Lakers’ General Manager Kupchek, Coach Byron Scott, and Kobe.

The entire exchange process was very smooth, and Zeng Xingyang also expressed his desire to join the Lakers.

Zeng Xingyang has been a Lakers fan since he was a child, so this emotional factor led him to overlook other factors.

Of course, the Lakers’ draft position is high, and the initiative rests primarily with them.

After the trial, reporters interviewed Kobe after he left the gym, asking him to talk about the Lakers’ draft this year.

Kobe said: "Although the draft is the management’s job, I don’t think there’s any issue with selecting Zeng this year. Zeng has a very good professional attitude, his shooting is excellent, and he is the best defender and shooter among this year’s rookies."

Kobe is very optimistic about Zeng Xingyang and doesn’t think highly of the management’s favored D’Angelo Russell.

In Kobe’s eyes, that Russell is too soft and won’t achieve great success in the future.

Kobe’s attitude is to select Zeng Xingyang, and whether the management considers it is their business.

Zeng Xingyang did not receive a positional guarantee from the Lakers and quickly moved on to his next stop.

Denver.

The Nuggets have the seventh pick this year.

Compared to the general attention he received from the Lakers, clearly the Nuggets management had a more positive attitude towards Zeng Xingyang.

Nuggets’ General Manager Connelly organized all executives and coaching staff members to watch Zeng Xingyang’s trial.

Zeng Xingyang’s performance in the semifinals and finals made the Nuggets’ top management very curious about him.

They all wanted to see how strong this MOP was.

Zeng Xingyang’s performance in the full-court confrontation game was still very stable, attempting 18 three-pointers and making 9 of them.

Zeng Xingyang’s performance clearly distinguished him from other trial players.

Zeng Xingyang was calm and confident on the court, and every time he handled the ball, it was very reasonable.

After the trial ended, Zeng Xingyang, Schwartz, Nuggets General Manager Connelly, Head Coach Mike Malone, and others had dinner together.

During dinner, Connelly straightforwardly said: "Zeng, your performance in the finals was impressive, it’s the best personal show I’ve seen in a finals. I am very optimistic about your development in the NBA."

Connelly’s words were sincere and practical, as he had been keeping an eye on Zeng Xingyang.

Ma Long said: "Yes, I also watched your games. Your shooting level has reached an NBA shooter’s standard, and your understanding of tactics and teamwork is better than we imagined."

Originally, Ma Long hoped Connelly would choose a ball-handling guard, but after actually seeing Zeng Xingyang, his idea had changed a bit.

Zeng Xingyang politely said: "Thank you, I also hope to play for the Nuggets."

The most profound impression Zeng Xingyang had of the Nuggets was Jokic. In his impression, it seemed that Jokic would also join the NBA next season.

Schwartz straightforwardly asked: "Can you give a draft guarantee?"

Connelly said: "Although I really want to give you a draft guarantee, the final decision lies with the owner. We still need to go through some procedures."

"Please believe me, I am really very optimistic about you."

Zeng Xingyang nodded, indeed feeling Connelly’s sincerity.

Otherwise, this dinner would not have occurred.

It’s just that a high draft pick isn’t that simple; ultimately, the owner has the final say.

The general manager’s opinion is important, but the final decision is made by the owner.

.....

Zeng Xingyang did not get to dine with the Nuggets’ owner in Denver.

But in Oklahoma, he did have dinner with the Thunder’s owner Bennett.

As a small-market owner, he obviously pays more attention to new recruits.

Bennett straightforwardly stated at dinner: "Zeng, Sam thinks highly of you. We are giving you a draft guarantee."

Presti was happily smiling alongside.

Zeng Xingyang, Schwartz, Bennett, and Presti had a very pleasant conversation.

The Thunder are great, but their only shortcoming is that their draft position isn’t very high, only the 15th pick.