2016 NBA Draft

On June 24, U.S. time, the 2016 NBA Draft was held as scheduled at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

The draft teams from every franchise entered the arena early.

The Green Room was still directly in front of the stage. This year, sixteen players were invited, including top prospects Ben Simmons and Ingram.

That number was considerably lower than last year's, which also showed that this was a weak draft class.

Both Simmons and Ingram looked rather nervous.

The draft order had been decided by lottery a month earlier.

The Top Draft Pick belonged to the Lakers, while the Second overall pick belonged to the 76ers.

Although the two had already locked down the top two spots, there was a huge difference between them. Going to the Lakers meant going to Los Angeles—becoming the top pick and heading to a major city.

The better option was obvious, but neither of them could decide who would go first. That depended on what the Lakers' management thought.

As Tang Tian and Dempsey headed toward the Draft Room, they unexpectedly ran into an old acquaintance.

Kobe. The guy had only been retired for two months. Although he wore a sharply tailored suit, he had grown a scruffy beard and developed a bit of a belly.

It looked like retirement had been treating him incredibly well.

When Tang Tian saw him, he said something to Dempsey before calling out and walking over to greet him.

"Hey, Kobe."

"Hey, Michael Tang."

Kobe smiled and held out his hand to Tang Tian, his tone suddenly slick and playful.

Tang Tian burst out laughing. Kobe had really transformed into an old legend overnight, like a completely different person.

During their conversation, Tang Tian learned that Kobe had come to advise his old friend Kupchak.

The Lakers