Chapter 1 The Inauguration

The NBA awards ceremony concluded, officially marking the end of the 2019-2020 season, with the new season quietly commencing in its wake.

Foremost among the upcoming events was the NBA draft, scheduled for late June.

This year's draft class was slightly less star-studded compared to the previous year, but it still boasted several high-profile prospects.

James Wiseman, the star player from the University of Memphis, a 2.13-meter center, was once the top-ranked high school player in the nation and a disciple of "Penny" Hardaway.

"The next Anthony Davis? He can handle the ball, is very willing and skilled at passing, and possesses a high basketball IQ. Why not?"

This was the evaluation given by Fox expert Charlie Ford in his draft and testing analysis.

Anthony Edwards, the star shooting guard from the University of Georgia, with a background in football, possessed a strong physique and excellent ball-handling skills.

"His best comparison is James Harden. He has explosive athleticism, excels at both driving and shooting, and will be a top contender for the number one pick."

A total of three players were favored to become the number one pick in this draft, the first two having already made a name for themselves in high school.

Players like Wiseman had received accolades such as Gatorade Player of the Year and the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year award at the Jordan Brand Classic, achieving national recognition during his high school career.

Edwards was equally impressive, earning MVP honors at both the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic, and also winning the NCAA Bob Cousy Award in college.

The remaining prospect had only moderate recognition in high school. He was the kind of player who experienced a complete breakout in college, even putting on a show.

Lin Yi.

"I have never seen a center play like him before. He can shoot like Curry, cross over like Irving, and even use footwork in the low post like Hakeem Olajuwon. This is a revolutionary center, and it's worth mentioning that, also from China, he is called Tang Tian's successor by many fans. Although they play different positions, they are both exceptionally talented."

After averaging 25.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, and a 43% three-point shooting percentage in his single year in college, and leading Davidson to win this year's NCAA championship and being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four (MOP), he became the biggest favorite for this year's draft's number one pick.

He would likely become the next center after Yao Ming to be drafted number one overall.

Of course, all of this depended on what the New York Knicks, who held the number one pick, chose to do.

The Knicks had won the lottery last year and drafted Williamson. Although the team's record was terrible, Williamson averaged 20+10, becoming the next player after Griffin to achieve that stat line, displaying immense talent.

This year, the Knicks had won the lottery again, a concentrated burst of good luck after years of being awful.

However, Williamson played inside, so it remained to be seen whether they would choose another inside player.

Tang Tian was busy training and getting back into shape and didn't go to the draft in New York.

But he still watched the draft live with his hard-training brothers.

When Tatum came out with the envelope containing the result, Tang Tian was still somewhat expectant.

If Lin Yi could be the number one pick, the cultivation efforts in the future would be huge, and with his system, he would definitely become a dominant player in the future.

The most crucial point was that after Yao Ming's retirement, the Chinese men's basketball team's center position had become extremely weak.

If Lin Yi could grow up quickly, then the combination of the two of them, plus Yi Jianlian, Ding Yanyuhang, Zhou Qi, and Abudushalamu, would give China a chance to continue their Olympic and World Cup double championship streak.

"With the first pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select... Lin Yi, a 2.14-meter center from Davidson College."

When Tatum announced the draft result, the New York fans at the scene erupted in a frenzy of screams.

They suddenly had two historically talented interior players, something they had never been so rich in before!

They weren't the only ones excited. Far away across the ocean, Chinese fans were also boiling over.

Tang Tian had retired, but Lin Yi had appeared. They were so lucky to be living in this era!

This passing of the baton from star to star also made them more willing to dedicate themselves to basketball.

The fans in Davidson were also excited. After Curry, their school had finally produced another basketball genius.

"Damn it, the NBA is going to be ruled by you and the people from your country."

Thompson couldn't help but complain when he saw the result.

"I'm really looking forward to the day Tang comes back. It might really be like Klay said."

Walker, on the other hand, was somewhat indifferent. He had already won a championship anyway, and didn't have such a big pursuit now. Instead, he thought it would be very fun.

"Shouldn't we be worried about the upcoming Olympics?"

Irving said with a smile.

"Yes, you should be worried about that."

Tang Tian said with a smile, picking up the conversation.

He was in a pretty good mood right now.

Lin Yi's selection even made him feel a bit more eager to make a comeback.

He was actually quite curious to see which of the two of them, both with systems, was stronger.

But this thought was only fleeting. Lin Yi had only just gotten the system, while he had already leveled up to the maximum.

Just like raising pigs, you have to fatten them up before you slaughter them, he had to wait a few years for Lin Yi to play before he could see.

The NBA draft concluded amidst a lot of discussion.

Tang Tian was just an observer in all of this, but in the next few days, he would have to start being distracted.

In the July free agency period, the contracts of many Pelicans players would expire, which would be a significant challenge for him.

On the day before free agency opened, Tang Tian sat down with Demps to discuss the roster in detail.

With the contracts of so many players expiring, this was the situation with the players still under contract:

Point Guard: Alexander

Brogdon's contract was expiring, and Burke's contract was also expiring. Whether to renew Brogdon's contract, and at what price, would be the focus at this position.

Shooting Guard: Ding Yanyuhang, Keldon Johnson

Holiday's contract was expiring. Holiday had a great half-season with the Pelicans, and his situation was similar to Brogdon's.

Small Forward: Durant, Ariza

Power Forward: Davis, Kuzma

Kuzma had one year left on his rookie contract, and Ariza also had one year left on his contract. Carter had officially announced his retirement, and Dekker hadn't shown much.

These two positions, like last year, only needed minor adjustments, adding some veterans and bench players.

Center: Mitchell Robinson.

The center position was the Pelicans' biggest need to address in the summer. Gasol's performance last season was average, especially in the playoffs.

If Gasol asked for a high price, it was unlikely that he would be retained. If he didn't ask for too much, he might be kept, but most likely as a backup.

Relying on Mitchell Robinson alone was definitely not enough.

The benefits of the rookie contracts were almost over, and now three positions were up for renewal at once. This was the biggest challenge the Pelicans had faced in free agency in many years.