Pippen's Fury: Trading Me to New York!

Just as Oakley had expected, only three days later, the other shoe dropped.

John Starks, the inspirational legend who had risen from a supermarket stock clerk to an NBA championship-winning starting shooting guard, officially announced that he would opt out of the final year of his contract, worth $2 million, and test free agency.

The decision came as no surprise to anyone.

Starks had performed brilliantly in the Finals, especially displaying remarkable tenacity while defending Jordan, which had driven his market value to its peak. At thirty-two, he too wanted a major contract that would leave him without worries in the twilight of his career.

The moment the news broke, the Knicks front office was nearly flooded with calls.

More than half the teams in the league expressed interest in the championship guard and proposed all manner of sign-and-trade packages.

In a top-floor office at Madison Square Garden, Knicks owner James Dolan and general manager Ernie Grunfeld respectfully placed a thick file of trade proposals on the desk before Li Fei.

"Li, these are all the offers we've received for John so far."

Grunfeld adjusted his glasses, his tone deeply respectful. "We want to hear your opinion. The team's future will be built around you."

Dolan nodded in agreement beside him. "That's right, Li. You're the cornerstone of this team, and your opinion is crucial. We need to know what kind of teammates you want to play with."

If word of this got out, it would be enough to shock the entire league.

A player only twenty-two years old had somehow made the team owner and general manager so "humble" that they were handing him decision-making power over roster construction.

Yet within the Knicks organization, it seemed only natural.

Li Fei had earned this one-of-a-kind privilege with a championship, unmatched