The Legend Comes to an End

As for Chen Xi...

Chen was different!!

Chen had already made a name for himself~~

So Chen could take it easy and travel wherever he wanted~~

Chen could go wherever he pleased~~

That was one of the perks of being a star player, and of being the undisputed centerpiece of a team.

Unlike certain workhorses, who only got busier while everyone else was off enjoying themselves...

That's right, I'm talking about Presti!

Once the Off-season began, the team's focus had to shift.

Preparing for the next season was a must.

Though... at that moment, GM Presti really did have a headache.

Because the team's owner had already shared some thoughts with him.

Bennett seemed to be following in Cuban's footsteps. He appeared to be getting somewhat content with what the Thunder had achieved so far.

So he'd subtly brought up some concerns to Presti about the team's salary cap and luxury tax.

As a capable general manager, Presti knew exactly what that meant.

The trouble was, not long ago, after the Western Conference Finals had ended, Chen Xi had arrogantly declared to the reporters, "Nobody's going to want to face us next season."

That proved the team's undisputed centerpiece still had big ambitions for the next season.

In theory, when the owner and a player disagreed, there shouldn't have been any question about whose side to take.

But the memory of Durant leaving still left a scar in GM Presti's heart.

He didn't dare imagine what he should do if Chen Xi, unhappy with the team's results, put pressure on the team and even the front office.

He had every reason to believe that could happen—and that it wasn't all that unlikely.

Even though Chen Xi could now become the Thunder's new heart and soul.

But as the saying went,