One Year Left to Play-Chapter 300 - 101: Return to Los Angeles

"..."

The language difference! Even when translated into English, it's hard to grasp the subtle differences in meaning.

Let's not talk about this topic. Zhang Hao changed the subject: "Boss, you don't seem too upset about being traded?"

"I was upset enough last night. We've been traded; what else can we do? The Brooklyn Nets don't fancy us, and they think we're worse than a college kid... Aix, you need to become better than that guy and give them a good showing!" Kenny Anderson habitually placed his hopes on Zhang Hao. "But I've watched Duncan play. He's outstanding. He's not even 20, but I feel he's better than Coleman..."

Feeling Kenny Anderson's expectations and a tinge of disappointment mixed together, Zhang Hao couldn't help but feel a surge of courage, and responded, "I'll be 19 next month."

"Yeah! You're just 18, F... Are all you young guys this frightening?"

"Boss, you don't seem too resistant about going to the Hornets?"

"Why should I resist? You've been traded away; should I stay here and keep losing games? What did they get in exchange for you? Divac? He's excellent, but he's a ball-handling center. Besides, going to the Hornets, I'll have a chance to play in the playoffs. You don't have to worry about me..."

It was evident that Kenny Anderson was forcing himself to appear nonchalant so that his little brother wouldn't worry about him, but Zhang Hao didn't expose his boss's facade of composure.

Men, we live our whole lives for our face, don't we?

"But I do envy you guys a bit. Los Angeles, what a place. I switched teams just to move from one village to another..."

Kenny Anderson's words instantly woke Zhang Hao up.

Yeah!

He remembered that in the trade between the Brooklyn Nets and the Lakers, to match the combined salary of Eddie Jones and Divac's $5.13 million, Jason Williams, with an annual salary of $200, was also included in the trade.

Despite the Brooklyn Nets being in shambles, their total salary this season reached $21.37 million, leaving only a space of over $100,000 from the $23 million salary cap, unable to take on Divac's over $3 million contract. By adding Jason Williams' contract, they barely balanced it.

Moreover, this also further complicated the Brooklyn Nets' interior lineup.

Looking at Jason Williams, who was absent-minded and didn't join the conversation, Zhang Hao had a thought—"So, my initial teammate who's continuing this professional journey with me is this guy?"

Completely unexpected!

Jason Williams had remained silent, probably the one most reluctant to leave the Brooklyn Nets.

Because he had worked hard for years to become a starting player, but his flaws were apparent, and it was uncertain if he would get over 25 minutes of playing time per game with another team. He wasn't as innately gifted as Zhang Hao or had all-star potential like Kenny Anderson...

Feeling Zhang Hao's attention, Jason Williams also realized something—he would continue as teammates with Zhang Hao!

"Hey! I still have a chance to get back that $500!"

With that thought, Jason Williams suddenly felt less dejected...

...

Originally, Zhang Hao wanted to leave quietly, without leaving a trace, but Kenny Anderson blocked his way, so he decided to meet those he couldn't bear to part with.

The one he couldn't bear to part with the most was, of course, Coach Butch Baird, who appreciated him as a rookie and gave him special attention.

He originally thought they would meet near the gym, since after a recent trade, they must be prepared to welcome new players. Unexpectedly, the meeting place was at Butch Baird's home in the Jersey City suburbs.

Moreover, Randy Whitman, Alvan Adams, and Chris Owen were also there.

After Kenny Anderson exchanged a few words with the coaches, Zhang Hao roughly understood what had transpired.

After last night's game, before the coaches had time to react, they received reassignment notices from the management, all being reassigned from coaching positions to operational roles, just like ten years later when Pat Riley suddenly reassigned Big Van Gundy to video editing.

And the harshest part was, unlike Big Van Gundy, who still received his original head coach salary as a video editor, their contracts included partially guaranteed salaries with pay based on coaching appearances or completed tasks.

So, early this morning, they gathered to discuss their next move.

In contrast to Kenny Anderson, who was simply there to chat and say goodbye, Zhang Hao picked up on something different and asked, "Coach, are you planning to resign?"

Butch Baird grinned, "We can find work wherever we go. Since we can't continue working together, leaving is a natural choice."

He really hadn't expected the team to be so thorough. Initially, he thought regardless of the draft pick's impact on victory, at most their coaching team would be disbanded, especially since he had offended some shareholders by signing Alvan Adams and Chris Owen back.

But he didn't expect it to escalate to the point where anyone capable of leading the team to victory was traded away. From what he understood, Chales, PJ Brown, and others might also be traded soon, and there's a high probability of that happening.

The purpose was simple. First, to transform the team's strength into a top lottery pick contender genuinely, and to sell surplus players at peak trading value to make way for Duncan, after all, not every player retained their value like Divac.

Butch Baird didn't steer the conversation in that direction, instead, he changed the subject: "Aix, when you go to the Lakers, don't worry too much. They paid a huge price to get you. Honestly, I never thought they'd be so willing.