Chapter 501: New York, Nets?

In front of Fan Xi were Schroder and Little Hardaway.

Schroder is more attractive than Little Hardaway in every way, and although General Manager Ku Pu Qie Ke has another candidate, if the choice is between Schroder and Little Hardaway, Ku Pu Qie Ke prefers Schroder.

After all, Schroder can play point guard.

Schroder indeed can play point guard, but he cannot play off the ball.

Fan Xi has to consider the team's overall plan.

If Giannis Antetokounmpo hadn't blocked reporters in Miami and the media hadn't wildly spread rumors of Fan Xi's close relationship with Giannis, Fan Xi could calmly use the fourth pick to select CJ McCollum, and then pick Giannis at the fifteenth.

This is the combination Fan Xi envisions.

But now, when he chose to pick Giannis early, after McCollum was snatched by the Trail Blazers.

What lies before Fan Xi now seems to be only one.

"Pick Hardaway."

Fan Xi makes a reluctant choice.

Then, the Barclays Center erupted a second time, and many self‑proclaimed draft experts were stunned on TV. Although this year is a weak draft year, Kuaisuan's back‑to‑back moves truly baffled them; they seemed unable to comprehend.

If Fan Xi hadn't had a splendid draft résumé before, they would have already started swearing.

"Only God knows what Jieke Fan is thinking. He chose that Greek guy with the very long name, trading Jimmy Butler. Then he chose that second‑generation player he had mocked before the draft; clearly his draft stock was at the end of the first round, yet he used the fifteenth pick… What on earth is Jieke Fan thinking?"

ESPN draft expert Cha Te Fu De voiced his opinion on TV.

Meanwhile, their on‑site reporter also interviewed Little Hardaway. Little Hardaway doesn't look much like his father; he's a bit reckless. His playing style differs completely from his father's, and he hasn't inherited the agile ball‑handling.

He faced the camera and said, "I know Jie Ke will definitely pick me, but I didn't expect him to select me at this spot. For me, I've long been ready to become a Kuaisuan player. Next season, even if Jie Ke isn't on the team, I will still rally tightly around Leonard as the new core, and we will keep pushing for the Finals."

Little Hardaway lives up to being a second‑generation player; his remarks immediately assert his standing while establishing loyalty to Leonard.

Eyes are poison. A quick look after Fan Xi leaves, Leonard will be reinstated.

"I'm studying Kuaisuan's tactics; I think I can quickly blend in because I'm a team player, I like defense, I enjoy moving off the ball, and I can hit open jump shots."

Little Hardaway said earnestly.

The demeanor he displayed already puts many young players far behind; often, when NBA teams consider role players, they value character and commitment more than talent, which becomes secondary. Because even a high level of a role player's specific talent can't surpass those prodigies.

Fan Xi left the draft room, losing interest in the next three picks; he let Ku Pu Qie Ke act according to his own ideas, focusing on selecting point guards and stretch bigs.

At this point, Fan Xi also prepared himself mentally to be chosen by others.

Tonight's main event is Fan Xi's next‑season destination; who will be the lucky one to obtain the 'Half‑Step Basketball God of Today for One Year' usage right?

Too many teams are itching for action.

Among them, the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the highest probability, are the most excited; if they can bring Fan Xi back to Cleveland, who would still be thinking of James?

Perhaps their owner Gilbert's curse will truly come true: when James announced on TV that he was leaving his hometown to take his talent to the South Coast, their owner issued an open letter, not only denouncing James but also emphasizing… that they will win the championship before James does.

In fact, if Cleveland truly drafts Fan Xi, they actually have a fighting chance, since their original roster wasn't terrible, still having Kyrie Irving and the new number‑one rookie, right?

However, given Fan Xi's character, if the Cavaliers select him, his first move would be to demand the Cavs trade away the newly crowned number‑one pick; many teams would likely be willing to trade with the Cavs.

After all, Bennet hasn't played a single game yet.

From a fatalistic viewpoint, many media outlets hope Fan Xi is chosen by the Cavaliers, who have the highest odds, and even league executives wish this to happen.

When Fan Xi left the Kuaisuan draft war room, everyone's expectations were placed on Fan Xi.

The subsequent draft became increasingly dull.

Everyone wants to know where Fan Xi will go next season.

In fact, ESPN's studio has started discussing the issue. Those sharply‑dressed draft experts are analyzing the pros and cons there.

"From a 'storyline' perspective, people most want Jieke Fan to join the Cavaliers. That way, the Cavaliers versus Heat matchup will become a ratings bodyguard."

"From the 'Thus we include: English' perspective, Fan Xi joining the Bulls is best, because the Bulls are the only Eastern team that can threaten the Heat's dominance. Jie Ke Fan joining them can quickly make an impact; together with Rosa, taking down the Heat is something to look forward to. And if Jie Ke Fan wins a four‑peat, and does so in Chicago, Michael Jordan's turf, then... Jordan would find it hard not to worry about his historical standing being supplanted."

"Of course, from a business standpoint, his joining New York is the most profitable. New York can offer him countless commercial activities, and besides, it's the place with the most female stars aside from Hao lai wu. Top global female stars pride themselves on living in New York. It's the world's largest city! In fact, many Fan ladies also live here, and it's closer to Europe."

"Besides these places, perhaps Jieke Fan joining Boston is also a good choice, even though their Three Giants have already fallen apart. Maybe Jieke Fan can revive the Green Army's glory."

"Where else? Miami! Oh my! If the lowest‑odds Miami draws Jieke Fan, the league could announce the grand finale. I think Miami will go undefeated next season, achieving an 82‑game regular‑season winning streak, then sweeping the playoffs 16‑0 to claim the championship!"

"..."

They chatter nonstop, and the ratings keep climbing.

Obviously, everyone has no expectations for this year's second‑round picks.

The despised 2013 second‑round class, even before entering the league, has already received cold neglect.

Finally, the lengthy draft segment ends.

Ya Dang Xiao Hua returns to the stage, beginning to announce the final rules.

Their lottery method is very rustic, almost like a lottery draw. Balls representing each Eastern team are placed in varying quantities according to different probabilities, and notaries are invited to demonstrate the event's openness and fairness.

Fan Xi and Ya Dang Xiao Hua are both invited onto the stage.

Before the official roll, the venue erupts in cheers; clearly this is the NBA's first ever time deciding the current top player's affiliation in this manner, full of excitement.

Many betting sites even posted odds, of course based on standings; the Cleveland Cavaliers have the lowest odds, the Heat the highest, because the Heat have only one ball rolling inside.

Ya Dang Xiao Hua clearly enjoys his brilliant idea, smiling broadly as he looks around; amid the screams, he even takes the host's interview. He says, "This is absolutely the NBA's most thrilling draft ever, because it will select the league's best player."

Fan Xi maintains a courteous smile.

He respects the game rules.

Since he enjoys the club's benefits, he should fulfill his obligations.

Soon, the lottery activity officially begins.

According to the rules, Ya Dang Xiao Hua calls 'Start', Fan Xi calls 'Stop'.

In Ya Dang Xiao Hua's passionate voice, the wheel spins rapidly, and the balls representing each team begin to bounce wildly.

Fan Xi stares at the constantly bouncing spheres, knowing each represents his destination for the coming year.

He hopes to stay in New York.

But he decided he couldn't.

He could only leave it to fate.

Before he called for a stop, he looked around and could see the excited faces of nearby fans, many of whom had red eyes like gamblers.

Fan Xi slightly adjusted his breathing, then said: "Stop!"

The wheel stopped turning, and the amplitude of the jumping ball's frequency also slowly decreased; shortly thereafter, a ball fell through the passage.

The camera quickly moved in.

Then the fans on site erupted in unprecedented cheers and boos… they split into two factions.

Because, the ball clearly bore the logo of the Nets.

The Nets obtained the usage rights to Fan Xi for the next year.

The Nets fans on site were extremely excited.

But the Knicks fans on the other side were extremely disappointed, shouting "Black curtain!" They confronted the excited Nets fans.

This is the Nets' future home court, and yet they obtained Fan Xi at a relatively low probability.

This naturally gives rise to such an association.

But the notary agency soon announced that this draw was genuine and valid.

That is to say, the Nets obtained the signing rights to Fan Xi.

Of course, they could also refuse, or even trade.

This is stipulated in clear regulations.

Fan Xi was somewhat disappointed, but he accepted the result. Although his relationship with the Nets owner was not very close, at least he remained in New York City.

Moreover, it was only a matter of playing one season of games.

The Nets heard that their offseason signings were still quite proactive.

Fan Xi thought to himself.

But what he didn't know was that, at the moment of the final verdict, James Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan personally called the Nets owner: "What do you want? Take your pick!"

James Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan displayed unprecedented grandeur.

He sacrificed everything for Fan Xi's one-year usage rights.

This even scared the Nets owner.

…