LeBron James running away? He's going all in on Curry.

June 28, 2012, Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey.

The annual NBA draft officially kicks off here.

Thanks to Su Yang's previous sensational "robbery-style" upward trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers now hold the number one draft pick, making them the absolute focus of the entire game tonight.

As David Stern walked slowly onto the stage amidst boos and applause, opening the first envelope in his hand, the eyes of the entire basketball world were focused on him.

The CEO took a deep breath and read out the predictable result into the microphone:

"In the 2012 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected... Anthony Davis, a power forward from the University of Kentucky!"

boom!

The audience erupted in applause! Anthony Davis, sitting in the little green room, excitedly hugged his family, then put on a draft cap with the Cavaliers logo, strode onto the stage, and shook hands with Stern.

Inside the Cavaliers' luxurious VIP box, General Manager Grant, his face flushed with excitement, pumped his fist: "Boss! We got him! This monster of an inside player with guard-like skills!"

Su Yang held his wine glass and nodded in satisfaction.

It was a natural progression. With the addition of Anthony Davis, the Cavaliers' interior defense not only possesses unparalleled rim protection and mobility, but also provides the perfect tactical core for their future "Death Lineup," a lineup that will shock the league!

The draft then continued.

The Washington Wizards, holding the second overall pick, unsurprisingly selected shooting guard Bradley Beal.

With the third pick, the Charlotte Bobcats made their selection.

Stern walked onto the stage: "Third overall, the Charlotte Bobcats select... Michael Kidd-Gilchrist!"

Upon hearing this name, Su Yang in the private room almost spat out his red wine and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"As expected, you can always trust Michael Jordan's disastrous draft picks!"

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, a forward whose shooting form is so contorted it's like he's sitting in a folding chair, is a terrible bust on offense, though his defense is passable.

Jordan used the third overall pick given to him by Su Yang to select such an exceptional player; he'll probably regret it terribly later.

The draft process flew by.

Soon, the first round came to an end.

"Boss, we're about to get our 27th pick." Grant walked over with several scouting reports, his face full of inquiry. "There aren't many good centers we can find at this pick. You mentioned before that you wanted to draft a forward or center at this position?"

Su Yang looked at the draft list in his hand, his brows furrowing slightly as he struggled with a brief dilemma.

He has two promising second-round picks who could have made a name for themselves in the future.

Draymond Green and Chris Middleton.

"If we were to simply copy the Warriors' strategy from the previous era, drafting Draymond Green would undoubtedly be the best fit for Curry as a playmaker and defensive anchor. But..."

The thought of all the troubling "dark history" that Green had caused in his previous life made Su Yang feel nauseous.

He kicked Adams in the groin, punched his good friend Poole, was suspended at a crucial moment in the Finals, and even went on a podcast during the playoffs to spout nonsense!

This kind of troublemaker, who could be described as a "locker room terrorist," would have been kicked out of a normal team long ago.

"I bought the team to have fun, not to spend my days cleaning up after the players and quelling locker room conflicts!"

Su Yang snorted coldly and crossed out Draymond Green's name without hesitation.

If we need an inside pivot who can pass the ball, why choose a troublesome player who has no offensive ability?

Wouldn't it have been better to just snatch that chubby Serbian Nikola Jokic, who drinks three liters of Coke every day and has a lot of fat, in the second round of 2014?

In terms of passing and playmaking, ten Draymond Greens couldn't match Jokic's single finger! Moreover, Jokic has a gentle and obedient personality, making him a perfect cornerstone for building a team.

"He's the one."

Su Yang pointed to another name on the list, "Use the 27th pick to select Chris Middleton. A high-quality 3D forward, the best wing addition for Klay."

A few minutes later, when Stern announced Khris Middleton's name, the future All-Star forward officially became part of the Cavaliers' championship puzzle.

The talent show concluded amidst much fanfare.

But for the general managers of the league's teams, the offseason arms race has only just begun.

It happened the morning after the draft ended.

"Boss, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is calling."

Grant strode into Su Yang's office, looking somewhat excited. "They're asking about our starting point guard, Jeremy Lin!"

"Oh? The Lakers?" Su Yang raised an eyebrow, putting down his cigar. "What offers did they make?"

"The Lakers are currently searching the world for a star point guard. Jeremy Lin's 'Linsanity' phenomenon in the first half of the season swept the globe, and Los Angeles is a huge market. They value the commercial value and popularity of Lin in Asia."

Grant reported, "Kupchak said they're willing to offer a future first-round pick as compensation, and even include Metta World Peace (Ron Artest) if we're willing to trade Jeremy Lin!"

Upon hearing this, Su Yang's eyes lit up instantly, and a sly smile appeared on his lips.

Of course he knows what the Lakers are planning this summer!

In the summer of 2012, the Los Angeles Lakers were about to assemble the luxurious "F4" battleship that shocked the entire league—Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, plus Pau Gasol!

In this original historical timeline, the Lakers acquired Nash through a trade.

But now, facing the newly Most Improved Player, the incredibly popular and younger "Linsanity," coupled with Hollywood's extreme thirst for star power, the Lakers have clearly considered replacing Nash with Jeremy Lin or having Kobe switch to the small forward position!

"Trying to use Jeremy Lin to complete the F4 puzzle, and incidentally rake in Asian box office revenue from Los Angeles? Sure enough!"

Su Yang tapped the table, his eyes as deep as a hunter setting a trap. "However, a first-round pick won't satisfy me."

"Tell Kupchak, we can give them Jeremy Lin! We can also snatch up Ron Artest's (Metta World Peace) contract; Artest can immediately come on and add some championship-level defensive toughness to our frontcourt!"

"But in exchange, I want the Los Angeles Lakers' two unprotected first-round picks in 2016 and 2018! I won't trade them for less than one!"

"2016 and 2018?!"

Grant exclaimed, "Boss, the Lakers are preparing to assemble a super team to contend for the championship! If Kobe and Howard were still around in 16 and 18, those two picks would definitely be the worst first-round picks ever! Aren't we making a huge mistake?"

"Whether it's a loss or not, you'll find out later. Make an offer as I said! Tell the Lakers that Jeremy Lin's commercial value in Asia will definitely allow them to recoup ten times the ticket revenue from these two draft picks!" Su Yang gave the order without room for argument.

Grant didn't understand, but he did as he was told.

An hour later, the Lakers responded.

Just as Su Yang predicted, the Lakers' management, in a state of extreme fanaticism of "winning now," didn't care about draft picks four or even six years from now!

In their view, with Kobe and Howard, the Lakers will be a championship contender for the next ten years, and their first-round picks are all worthless, like the 29th and 30th picks!

The deal was struck instantly!

The Cleveland Cavaliers traded Jeremy Lin to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for veteran Metta World Peace, along with two unprotected first-round picks from 2016 and 2018!

Looking at the transaction confirmation letter that had already been faxed to the alliance office, Su Yang leaned back comfortably in his leather chair, smiling like a sly old fox.

"Junk visa?"

Su Yang sneered inwardly, "Once the new season starts, your magnificent F4 will completely disintegrate due to tactical incompatibility and injuries!"

He clearly remembers that it was because of this distorted Lakers team's terrible record that Kobe Bryant had to become a workaholic at the end of the season, playing all 48 minutes in every game, which ultimately led to that heartbreaking "Achilles tendon rupture" tragedy!

With Kobe injured and Howard leaving the team, the Lakers will fall into a dark abyss and occupy the last place in the Western Conference for many consecutive years!

By then, the first-round picks in 2016 and 2018 will be the real second overall pick and the high-ranking lottery pick!

Trading Jeremy Lin, who has delivered phenomenal performances but whose potential has largely peaked, for two super high draft picks in the event of a Lakers collapse in the future, would be an absolutely sure-fire, incredible heist!

"However, on the other hand, the Lakers' management was forced into this gamble."

Su Yang picked up the coffee on the table and took a sip, the shocking broadcasting contract in Los Angeles flashing through his mind.

Just last year, the Los Angeles Lakers and Time Warner Cable Networks reached a record-breaking 20-year, $30 billion broadcasting deal!

On average, this contract means the Lakers can make a net profit of $1.5 million a year just from broadcasting fees!

Not to mention the outrageous renewal terms in the subsequent supplementary clauses, such as 20 billion for 5 years and 50 billion for 25 years.

The Lakers' management went to great lengths to assemble the "F4" to give Time Warner an explanation and to give Los Angeles box office revenue an explanation.

"The combination of peak Kobe Bryant and the market of Los Angeles, a mega-metropolis, created an absolutely terrifying money-making ability."

Su Yang sighed with emotion, "No wonder the Lakers later generously erected three statues for Kobe. Without the $30 billion broadcasting contract that Kobe swindled them out of with their two consecutive championships, how much net profit would the Lakers make in a year? It's just a pity that after Time Warner bought the contract, the Lakers' record was consistently at the bottom, and in the end, they were actually driven to bankruptcy and restructuring by this broadcasting contract. It's truly a cruel twist of fate."

Thinking about this astonishing business empire and the secrets to its wealth.

Su Yang's gaze involuntarily fell on the huge poster hanging in the most conspicuous position on the office wall.

On the poster, Stephen Curry is biting his mouthguard and making his signature shooting motion.

"Looking at the entire history of the NBA, apart from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, the most profitable cash cow is undoubtedly this baby-faced assassin."

Su Yang's eyes became incredibly intense.

It's important to know that before Curry's meteoric rise, the Golden State Warriors were only worth a few hundred million dollars, making them virtually unknown in the league.

But it was precisely because of Stephen Curry's three-point frenzy that the Warriors' market value once soared to a staggering $70 billion! Surpassing the Knicks and Lakers, they became number one in the United States!

"A market capitalization of 70 billion US dollars..."

Su Yang secretly vowed in his heart, "In this life, this immense wealth must belong to the Cleveland Knights! It must belong to me, Su Yang!"

"Stephen will be back in top form next season, along with Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, and Marc Gasol!"

"LeBron, the Heat's Big Three?"

"In the new season, prepare to tremble in despair under Curry's three-point barrage and Davis's blocks!"