Where Would Barkley Go?
No one knew Li Fei's true thoughts, and no one could be certain that he would remain in New York for the long term.
He held the power of a Dynasty in his hands, his own commercial empire, and absolute control over the direction of his career whenever he wanted.
He could stay with the Knicks and build a Dynasty, or he could turn around and leave at any time to begin a brand-new chapter of his career.
Whether they could keep Li Fei had become the Knicks management's greatest concern for the coming years, perhaps even the next decade.
At the head of the conference table, the Knicks owner spoke first, breaking the silence.
"Let's get straight to the point."
"If Barkley joins us, can he fill the void left by Sabonis? Can he improve the team's overall strength? Most importantly, can he keep Li here?"
A veteran operations executive stood up first, his tone steady and his reasoning clear.
"From a tactical perspective, it would absolutely be an upgrade."
"Sabonis was more of a skilled player. He excelled at facilitating from the high post and had a soft shooting touch, while his interior physicality was more measured. Barkley, on the other hand, is a pure iron-blooded power forward. His low-post dominance, rebounding, and interior physicality are all among the best in the league."
"Their styles are completely different, but Barkley's toughness is exactly what our frontcourt lacks most—physical intensity."
Another member of management immediately added, directly addressing the most crucial issue of chemistry.
"Fit is the least of our concerns."
"Li Fei and Barkley have already proven to be a perfect championship combination. They spent two years together with the Phoenix Suns and won two championships. Their chemistry needs no adjustment—they'll be at their