One Year Left to Play-Chapter 301 - 101: Return to Los Angeles

"But you still have to be prepared. Playing there isn’t as easy as it is here. That’s Los Angeles. Even the Magician gets criticized by fans for playing poorly."

Zhang Hao knew Butch Baird wanted to wrap up the conversation, and he nodded.

He fully understood what Butch Baird was saying. In a place like that, even a rookie like him would be criticized if he couldn’t lead the team to the playoffs, let alone the current top player with three championships under his belt.

Since the four coaches still had matters to discuss, Zhang Hao and the others didn’t stay long and caught a ride with Kenny Anderson to the airport.

Jason Williams wasn’t as decisive as Zhang Hao; he planned to leave the next day. The Lakers’ notice was to report back no later than the 3rd, so he decided to go tomorrow.

Kenny Anderson was also planning to head to Charlotte the next day.

On the plane, as it took off, Zhang Hao leaned against the window, looking at Jersey City...

The view he saw every time he played away games, from now on, he might only see once a year.

Just when things started to look up and they banded together wanting to accomplish something, now they’re heading in different directions!

...

...

December 1, 1995, 6 PM, Los Angeles International Airport arrivals level, Robert Pelinka, Henry Thomas, and Mitch Kupchek were chatting and waiting to pick someone up.

Zhang Hao’s emotions were complicated, while Pelinka and Henry Thomas were overjoyed upon hearing he was traded!

Especially after seeing the trade package the Lakers offered, their excitement grew!

Los Angeles, no more going to that lousy Rutherford Town!

Moreover, Kupchek joined them after hearing they were coming to pick him up. Whether from the trade package or management’s attitude, it was clear the Lakers valued Zhang Hao.

Even though it’s puzzling that there wasn’t any prior indication—since the offseason, the Lakers had been pursuing the Kings’ star Mitch Richmond—and there was still the "Magician’s comeback" soap opera recently, they never imagined the Lakers wanted Zhang Hao.

They couldn’t understand what happened behind the scenes nor did they want to. Their focus was on their company’s most talented player joining the Lakers.

When there’s time, they promote their company’s players. Even though the Lakers already showed interest, Henry Thomas wanted them to value him even more: "Mickey, do you know how fast Aix learns? He played a preseason game against Jordan, saw Jordan’s latest shooting technique, the turnaround fadeaway, and then learned it. He’s already practicing it quite well; last night, he used Jordan’s turnaround fadeaway to beat Jordan..."

Henry Thomas’s appearance and his calm, steady speech easily convinced people. Anyway, Kupchek, who was worried about fan backlash due to potential performance decline next, felt a bit relieved hearing Henry Thomas’s words.

Because Henry Thomas not only seemed sincere but what he said was true.

On today’s headlines, along with Zhang Hao’s trade news, was the image of Zhang Hao using a turnaround fadeaway to defeat Jordan.

games played, with 7 wins, Zhang Hao executed two game-winners personally. Although many media outlets and fans still felt trading Divac and Eddie Jones for a rookie was absurd, the opinions weren’t unanimously against the Lakers.

If a terrible trade were rated on a scale of 10, the level had dropped from 10 to 6 now.

The recently impressive performances significantly alleviated the pressure on Kupchek and the others.

While discussing Zhang Hao, they noticed him coming out of the exit shortly.

This morning, after Zhang Hao turned on his cellphone, he contacted his agency’s two partners. Pelinka and Henry Thomas were already excited, remained so overnight, and became even more thrilled seeing Zhang Hao now.

Kupchek was also a bit nervous, went over to Zhang Hao with the two, then... Zhang Hao swept past them!

Like a gust of wind, he completely ignored them!

All three turned their heads simultaneously, couldn’t shout Zhang Hao’s name fast enough, then they saw Zhang Hao rushing towards a tall and pretty young lady.

Calling her a young lady wouldn’t be wrong since Aprile Clark was indeed only 19, just started her freshman year.

The three watched Zhang Hao’s back...

"Aprile, I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon. I thought the next time would be when playing against the Clippers... Hey, isn’t this the dress I gifted you?"

"You just noticed... Really, is it nice?"

"Whatever you wear looks good, even not wearing... Ah, oops, anyway, it’s very nice."

Seeing Aprile Clark, Zhang Hao’s mood immediately lightened up, casting aside any reluctance of leaving the Brooklyn Nets. He was so delighted, almost pressed the gas pedal too hard, but managed to brake in time. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Aprile Clark didn’t catch what Zhang Hao said, she noticed some people were staring at them, seemed somewhat resentful? Upon closer look, two familiar faces! No, three she knew, one she knew but he possibly didn’t know her.

"Aix, your agents and the team’s general manager adviser are over there."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hao seemed to have seen familiar faces earlier, turned to look, indeed familiar people!

Then, two partners internally yelled—choosing affection over friendship!