Chapter 252: Boiling Point (4)
“Mark Daigneault?”
Peja thought for a moment. In his memory, there had never been anyone by that name in the league’s coaching circle.
Seeing Peja’s confusion, Chen Yilun explained,
“It’s normal you don’t know him.”
Right now, Mark Daigneault was still the head coach of the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder’s G League affiliate. It wouldn’t be until the 2018–19 season that Billy Donovan promoted him to the Thunder as an assistant coach, gradually giving him a foothold in the league.
Later, when Donovan left in 2020, Daigneault took over as the new head coach of the Thunder, guiding young players like Alexander and eventually winning Coach of the Year in 2024.
Daigneault’s biggest strength was his ability to tap into young players’ potential. Under him, Alexander and the others developed tremendously.
He was still a bit green compared to Brown, but having him was certainly better than having no one.
After arriving in Oklahoma City, Chen Yilun chatted briefly with Daigneault, who agreed without hesitation to head to Sacramento.
“You’ve really lost all shame—now you’re poaching G League head coaches?”
As expected, right after Chen Yilun finished poaching, Presti’s call came through.
“Man, it’s not like I had any other choice,”
Chen Yilun laughed, sprawled on his hotel bed. “Besides, Daigneault’s just sitting on the bench over there. Might as well let him shine with me.”
Hearing Chen Yilun laugh, Presti felt something was off, though he couldn’t quite figure out what.
“Alright, alright. If you really want him, take him. But don’t touch anyone from my actual coaching staff!”
“Relax, relax.”
Chen Yilun nodded quickly.
“I’m only taking this one. I’ll go poach the rest from the other seniors.”
“????”
Presti held his forehead, stunned.
“How can you even say that out loud?”
......
...
“Hey! Don’t you run!”
Inside a luxury hotel in Atlanta, Chen Yilun was sprinting away while an exasperated Budenholzer chased after him.
“It’s just one person! Do you really have to chase me like this? You’re so stingy.”
After a few steps, Chen Yilun stopped at a distance, watching the panting Budenholzer.
“You won’t even help with something this small? Some ‘senior’ you are.”
“You’ve got a lot of nerve saying that!”
Budenholzer leaned on his knees, catching his breath.
“Darvin Ham is my right-hand man. I really can’t give him to you.”
“I know you care, that’s why I came to talk to you first. If it were someone else, I would’ve just taken him already.”
Chen Yilun was actually giving Budenholzer plenty of respect by coming to him beforehand.
But with his notorious reputation, the moment he opened his mouth, Budenholzer nearly exploded on the spot.
Hence the chase.
“You didn’t even let me finish.”
Seeing that Budenholzer had calmed down, Chen Yilun carefully edged closer and whispered,
“How about I send you a player?”
“A player? Who?”
Budenholzer raised an eyebrow.
If Chen Yilun tried to take Ham—who had been his assistant since 2013—he’d definitely be angry.
But if Ham could be exchanged for a player… that was a different story.
Seeing the interest, Chen Yilun leaned in.
“You know Dorian Finney-Smith, right?”
“Smith?”
Budenholzer tilted his head, thinking for a moment before recalling who he was.
“That undrafted guy you signed last season? What about him?”
“Have you watched him play?”
Chen Yilun asked mysteriously.
“Why would I watch an undrafted kid playing in the G League?”
Before he could finish, Chen Yilun handed him a videotape.
“Just take this and watch it. I’ll come by tomorrow. Oh, and this too.”
He shoved a report into Budenholzer’s hands and walked away.
“Acts like some kind of fortune-teller every day…”
Budenholzer carried the materials back to his room.
“Let’s see what trick you’re playing this time.”
He popped the tape into the TV.
The tape had two parts: one featuring Finney-Smith’s game footage, and the other showing internal practice.
Sitting on the couch, Budenholzer watched slowly.
As the footage progressed, his expression shifted from indifferent to serious.
“This kid’s legit.”
With his coach’s instincts, Budenholzer immediately sensed Finney-Smith’s potential.
His defensive instincts, shot selection—everything screamed “quality 3-and-D.”
Continuing to watch, Budenholzer picked up the report and read it carefully.
“Six-foot-seven, seven-one wingspan.”
He smacked his lips.
“Great physical profile—classic wing build.”
Then he saw the age and instantly understood why Finney-Smith went undrafted.
He had stayed all four years in college, meaning most teams thought he’d already missed his main development window. And as an older prospect, he couldn’t provide immediate production.
Realizing this, Budenholzer grabbed his phone and called his assistant.
“Find someone for me. Dorian Finney-Smith—undrafted ’16, kid from Florida. Get me his college game footage.”
...
The next morning, when Chen Yilun woke up, Budenholzer was already knocking on his door.
“Alright—what’s this kid’s deal?”
Budenholzer sat heavily on the sofa.
“I watched his college tape yesterday. He wasn’t anywhere near this level back then.”
“No, he wasn’t.”
Chen Yilun sat across from him.
“He developed after coming to my program. The kid’s got real feel for the game. Even at his age, he’s still improving—and the progress is big.”
Hearing this, Budenholzer nodded repeatedly.
“You’re something else. You found another gem.”
He couldn’t help but sigh.
How was this junior so lucky? Every trade he made was a steal. Every rookie he picked—even undrafted ones—panned out.
“I’m agreeing to the deal.”
After confirming the trade details, Budenholzer stood up.
“Alright, I’m heading back. Make sure you send him over soon.”
He shot Chen Yilun a look.
“Just this once, got it? Don’t start eyeing my assistant coaches again.”
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