"Damn, Victor had just signed a huge four-year deal with the team a couple of months ago, hadn't he?" Chen Xi knew Odie would not stay with the Thunder for long, but that was supposed to happen next season.
George had not yet suffered that final blow with the Pacers this year—getting swept 4-0 by James's Cavaliers in the first round—so he should not have had much intention of leaving yet.
Was this the butterfly effect from my arrival? It shouldn't be. What did the Pacers have to do with me?
Had the team seen hope for this season and started strengthening the roster ahead of time?
If it really was Paul George, then wouldn't Little Sabonis be in danger too?!!
After all, Odie alone was nowhere near enough to trade for George. The man was one of the strongest small forwards in the league.
Chen Xi looked at Oladipo, who was still practicing his shooting not far away.
Being at the center of trade rumors probably did not feel good.
The game against the Hornets was not difficult, because it had already become a blowout from the opening tip. Other than Westbrook and Chen Xi, no one on the team was in form. Odie was especially inefficient, shooting just 4-of-18. Even though Westbrook posted a massive 33+10+11 triple-double, he still could not turn things around.
The still-prime French Pippen, Nicolas Batum, and Kemba Walker did not miss the opportunity. They went toe-to-toe with the Thunder through their outstanding offensive firepower, eventually winning 123-104 and handing the Thunder another crushing defeat.
After the game, the Thunder hurried to the airport. They had a back-to-back against the Rockets tomorrow.
[Congratulations, host. Achievement completed: Career Total Points exceeded 500. Reward has been issued.]
[Congratulations, host. Reward obtained: 5 Free Attribute Points, 1 designated Bronze Badge.]
Chen Xi heard the pleasant system notification again after boarding the plane.
"I'd almost forgotten about this mission. Nice, nice, nice. System, add the points!"
[Please select an attribute to improve.]
"Breakthrough! Breakthrough!"
[Attribute points allocated. Host's Breakthrough Attribute has increased to 72.] (Originally 65, with 2 points gained through training.)
"Nice, nice, keep going. A designated Bronze Badge, right? Give me an Ankle Breaker!!!"
[Congratulations, host. Badge obtained: Ankle Breaker (Bronze).]
"Nice! With 72 Breakthrough, a Bronze Ankle Breaker, and a Silver First Step, won't blowing past defenders be easy from now on?"
Chen put on his eye mask and began fantasizing about the glorious scenes of dropping people on the court. He had long wanted to take Irving down and become James's CBA himself!!
After arriving in Houston, everyone hurried to the hotel to catch up on sleep. They were all big men, after all, and the cramped plane cabins had clearly made it impossible to sleep soundly.
But Oladipo could not sleep.
Not long after getting off the plane, he received a call from his agent.
"Victor, you've been traded."
That simple sentence nearly broke Odie.
"Where to?"
"Chicago."
"Okay. I understand." He hung up and lowered his head in disappointment.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Chen Xi opened his hotel room door and looked at Odie walking in, puzzled.
"What's wrong, Victor?"
"Chris, I've been traded." There was even a trace of a sob in Odie's voice.
"Ah?! So soon?! Uh, sorry. I only heard the trade rumors a little while ago myself, but I didn't expect..."
Chen Xi was at a loss. How was he supposed to comfort this Kobe Mamba?
"Business is business. I know."
Oladipo seemed to have accepted the fact.
"Victor, don't lose heart. This only means you weren't in the team's plans. It doesn't mean you've been rejected." Chen Xi tried his best to choose his words.
"It's okay, Chris. I know. I won't get depressed over this. I'll work even harder. You don't need to comfort me."
"Haha, I knew it. You're incredibly strong inside."
"I just wanted to come say goodbye. After all, I'm heading to Chicago soon."
"Chicago?!" Chen Xi was surprised. So it was not George.
"Yes, Chicago. My agent told me the team traded me for Jimmy Butler."
"!!" Chen Xi was stunned.
"Good luck, Chen. We're still friends, aren't we?"
"Of course, Victor. We always will be!" Chen Xi stepped forward and hugged Odie.
"Let's keep working hard, Victor. I look forward to seeing you at the All-Star Game."
"It won't take long." Odie's tone was resolute.
No matter how much he said it was fine, there was probably still unwillingness in his heart.
Being traded by both the Orlando Magic and the Thunder within a single year would leave anyone with some resentment.
Odie's departure had come suddenly. Or rather, this trade had come suddenly.
On January 5, 2017, the Thunder sent Victor Oladipo and a Turkish center to the Bulls in exchange for Jimmy Butler and Doug McDermott.
From a trade perspective, though, both sides got what they wanted.
The Thunder strengthened their wing rotation and added a shooter, while the Bulls acquired a promising young player. There would probably be more moves to come. Barring surprises, they would likely get rid of Wade and Rondo's contracts and begin Rebuilding.
Butler and McDermott did not come to Houston. Instead, they went directly to Oklahoma, where they would join the team's Joint practice after completing their physicals and make their debut against the Nuggets on the seventh.
The Thunder had suddenly lost two important rotation players and should, by all rights, have been unable to contend with the red-hot Rockets.
But Westbrook and Chen Xi suddenly erupted, snatching the win straight out of Harden's hands.
Chen Xi played 39 minutes, shooting 13-of-20 overall, 6-of-11 from three, and 3-of-4 from the line for a career-high 35 points.
Westbrook played 41 minutes, shooting 16-of-34 overall, 8-of-15 from three, and 9-of-11 from the line for 49 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists.
While the two combined for 84 points, James Harden on the other side was unexpectedly subdued, going 6-of-16 for "only" 26 points.
They successfully handed the Rockets another loss.
After the game, Chen Xi rarely went out with Westbrook. They met with James Harden, the future League First shooting guard, and discussed Houston's nightlife culture.
Chen Xi had always liked stars with explosive scoring ability, and Harden was one of them. On top of that, Harden was a funny guy off the court, so the group quickly got along, laughing and chatting like old brothers.
After spending a pleasant night in Houston, they flew back to Oklahoma City with the team the next day.
The moment he entered the arena, he saw a man in a gray training vest working with a trainer through his daily routine.
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