CHAPTER 85: CHAPTER 83: DRAFT NIGHT, THE DUST SETTLES!_3

The representatives from each NBA team are spread across various rooms, where they will make decisions and have the NBA commissioner announce the names at their draft positions.

Finally, after a long wait.

Adam Xiao Hua took the stage and said into the microphone, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2015 NBA Draft."

The draft officially began.

Holding the first overall pick are the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have five minutes to make their final decision.

There are designated personnel counting down the time.

At this moment, phones and sounds of disputes constantly rang out from the rooms of the various teams.

Soon, an envelope was handed out of the Timberwolves’ room.

Adam Xiao Hua took a card from the envelope, spoke into the microphone, and read in front of the camera: "With the first pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select... Karl-Anthony Towns from the University of Kentucky."

As Towns’ name was called, he gave his signature smile, hugged his family, then took the cap and ran onto the stage.

The on-site fans cheered, as Towns had a high popularity in the United States and was always considered a top pick favorite, so the Timberwolves’ choice came as no surprise.

This choice was very solid.

Soon, the Lakers also took out their envelope.

Adam Xiao Hua read: "With the second pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select D’Angelo Russell from Ohio State University."

Hearing this pick, many fans and the media were stunned for a moment.

Clearly, the Lakers were engaging in some surprise tactics.

Booker said angrily, "Are they blind, choosing this guy over me."

Booker really wanted to go to the Lakers; his idol is Kobe.

Zeng Xingyang at the next table said, "They will regret it in the future."

Russell’s college career stats were decent, but his talent is mediocre, and upon entering the NBA, he was nicknamed Shui La.

The Lakers fans in the audience immediately booed.

If they wanted a guard, wouldn’t Zeng Xingyang be a better pick?

They were all prepared to welcome another Klay Thompson, but the Lakers chose a small point guard.

In the Lakers’ room, Kupchek looked at Jim Buss with dissatisfaction and said, "Didn’t we agree yesterday to pick Zeng Xingyang?"

Jim Buss shrugged and said, "That was yesterday. Today I changed my mind. D’Angelo is also good; I don’t like that Chinese guy."

This capricious heir!

Kupchek was speechless, feeling his days with the Lakers were numbered.

Jim Buss wasn’t focused on the draft at all; he wasn’t putting much thought into the future of the team.

Jim Buss was trying to team up with his brother Johnny Buss to oust Jeanie Buss from the board.

Jeanie immediately filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court, also applying for a temporary restraining order to prevent the two brothers from holding a new board meeting.

The power struggle between the siblings had reached a fever pitch.

It’s possible that this summer will see a resolution.

Recent circumstances have not been favorable to Jim Buss, so how could he make decisions based on the management’s professional opinions?

Even if the Lakers’ management rights are handed over to Jeanie Buss, he would still leave that annoying woman a mess to deal with!

The outside world hadn’t paid much attention to the Buss family’s internal strife.

The draft continued to proceed in an orderly manner.

"With the third pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Jahlil Okafor from Duke University!"

...

"With the fourth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select Kristaps Porzingis from Latvia!"

As one name after another was called, and Zeng Xingyang hadn’t heard his name yet, he became a bit nervous.

....

With the fifth pick, the Magic selected Mario Hezonja.

With two consecutive high picks choosing overseas rookies, it also showed the NBA’s global ambitions.

"With the sixth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings select Willie Cauley-Stein from the University of Kentucky"

Though Cauley-Stein’s college stats were average, his talent is excellent. He’s a power forward, and the Kings just need a power forward to form a twin-tower lineup with Cousins. The Kings have high hopes for his future.

The Kings never intended to pick a guard in this year’s draft.

This choice also reflects that the NBA Draft values talent and potential more than immediate stats that reflect readiness.

As Towns and Cauley-Stein were selected, Booker and Zeng Xingyang’s expressions grew more serious.

"Guys, good luck," Cauley-Stein said with a smile, waving to Zeng Xingyang and Booker as he passed by.

Zeng Xingyang and Booker’s tactical positions at the University of Kentucky were much more important than his, but he was chosen before them, which was something he could boast about.

Soon, Adam Xiao Hua opened a new envelope!

"With the seventh pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets select Zeng Xingyang from the University of Kentucky!!!"