Chapter 81: The Spurs Snatch a Bargain
After taking two wins at home, the Kings were about to fly to Los Angeles for their road game.
But Chen Yilun didn’t board the plane with them. Instead, he bought his own ticket and flew to Las Vegas.
Not because he was a gambling addict heading for Sin City, but because he had a promise left unfinished.
After landing, Chen Yilun caught a cab straight to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
A heavyset figure was already waiting at the school gate.
“You finally showed up, kid. It’s really hot out here.”
Buford kept dabbing his forehead with a handkerchief.
“If it’s that hot, why don’t you go inside?”
“I don’t know my way around!”
The two bickered their way into campus, heading toward the basketball arena.
“Hey, look! That Asian guy looks familiar—isn’t that Chen from the Kings?”
“Looks like it. The guy next to him seems familiar too. Isn’t that the Spurs’ GM?”
“I checked—it’s really them!”
From the moment Chen Yilun and Buford entered, whispers spread quickly across the campus.
Basketball was the country’s most beloved sport, and the fanbase was huge..
And Chen Yilun’s performance last season was simply too eye-catching. Unlike most GMs who stayed in the background, he was always front and center. So, plenty of fans remembered him.
“See that? Now I’m getting recognized just because of you.”
Buford teased. “You’re basically a superstar in our business now.”
“Don’t even start!”
Chen Yilun wasn’t buying it. “Let’s get this done and grab something to eat. I took the day off just to keep you company.”
As they chatted, they entered the gym, where several young players were practicing together.
“What’s he doing here?”
Buford frowned the moment he spotted a man standing by the second-floor railing.
Chen Yilun took a closer look, and his good mood immediately darkened.
“Daryl Morey!”
Among GMs, Morey was infamous. Unlike Chen Yilun, who ran his team based on professional expertise and treated ownership’s opinion as reference, Morey got his position for one reason: obedience.
Yes—obedience.
As long as he held the role, he was the owner’s number one lackey. Whatever the owner decided, right or wrong, Morey executed without hesitation.
That’s how he earned the nickname “Morey the Dog.”
And Chen Yilun knew exactly what Morey would do in the future, which only made him despise him even more.
Morey spotted Chen Yilun and Buford.
After a slight pause, he put on a polished business smile and waved them over.
“Careful not to slip up.”
Buford whispered low enough that only Chen Yilun could hear.
“He’s a smiling snake.”
“Got it.”
The two walked over to Morey.
“RC! Chen! Long time no see. What brings you here today?”
Morey laughed warmly, greeting them.
“Daryl, that’s what I was wondering. How does a busy man like you end up in Vegas?”
Buford asked with a grin.
“Our roster’s still short. I came to see if I could find someone to fill it out.”
Morey replied smoothly.
“Same here. We both had some free time these past couple days. Just thought we’d drop by.”
Buford chuckled back.
While Buford and Morey exchanged pleasantries full of hidden barbs, Chen Yilun’s gaze shifted to the court below.
A tall African American player was working on his jump shot.
This was the compensation Popovich received after Chen Yilun poached Chip—this year’s undrafted rookie, Christian Wood.
Wood had bounced around the league early in his career. He even went to the CBA when he couldn’t get a job in the NBA.
It wasn’t until 2019 that he made his mark with the Pistons, establishing himself as a quality shooting big man. In 2021, he even earned a spot on the national team’s training roster.
As for Wood, Chen Yilun had no interest in developing him.
With so many better prospects already on his own team that he could barely manage, why waste time on a player with a long development curve and limited upside?
But for the Spurs, Wood was a different story.
With their player development system, Wood could save himself years of wandering if they picked him up.
As for Morey’s presence here, Chen Yilun quickly pieced it together.
After going undrafted, Wood played in the Summer League with the Rockets. But once it ended, they gave up his signing rights.
Most likely, the Rockets struck out in free agency and also lost an important bench scorer, Josh Smith, for nothing.
Now Morey was here trying to walk it back.
“So, see any players you like?”
Morey’s shifty little eyes made Chen Yilun’s skin crawl.
Chen Yilun and Buford exchanged a glance and shook their heads.
“Nope. The players here aren’t good enough. Even if we sign them, they’re just G-League material. We’re just passing through, checking things out.”
From a distance, the three looked like old friends chatting happily, even laughing together.
But if you actually listened in, their conversation was empty—just the same recycled lines over and over.
“What do you think Morey was here for?”
Buford asked quietly on the way back.
“No need. He’s already gone. You can talk normally now.”
“Oh, right, right! I was about to suffocate back there.”
Hearing Chen Yilun’s words, Buford instantly relaxed.
“Let me tell you, even though we’re both in Texas, I really hate dealing with that smiling snake. Every time he looks at someone, you just know he’s scheming something.”
“Exactly. I don’t like dealing with him either.”
After venting about Morey for a while, Chen Yilun shifted back to business.
“What do you think of Wood?”
“He’s alright. I was too busy watching Morey today to really pay attention.”
Buford thought for a moment. “Good size, but looks like average athleticism. Needs work on both shooting and defense.”
“True, but he’s still got room to grow.”
Chen Yilun smiled. “The moment I saw him, I thought—he’s perfect for you guys. Give him a year or two of development, and you could even flip him for a good price.”
“That’s true.”
Buford couldn’t help but smile.
It was exactly the kind of thinking he had instilled in Chen Yilun—pure Spurs philosophy.
The next day, the Spurs announced they had signed this year’s undrafted rookie, Christian Wood, to a 10-day contract!
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