Capítulo 140: Wang Chong Joins the Bulls, Chasing Jordan’s Legacy
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Even the Houston Rockets got involved, attempting to make a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Rockets had tasted success with Yao Ming, whose presence not only elevated their game but also expanded their market and financial opportunities in China. It was evident that the Rockets hoped to form a Chinese super duo by pairing Yao with Wang Chong, further tapping into the lucrative Chinese fanbase.
However, it was clear that the Rockets weren't willing to part with either Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady, their two key stars, and the rest of their roster didn't offer enough valuable trade pieces. Even though the idea of reuniting two of China's greatest basketball players on the same team was tempting, the Lakers had better options on the table. In fact, the Rockets' offer wasn't as strong as the Cavaliers' proposal, making it highly unlikely that the Lakers would accept it.
As the bidding war intensified, fans and analysts across the league became increasingly curious. Where would Wang Chong, one of the most promising young players in the league, end up?
Meanwhile, Wang Chong remained calm amidst all the speculation. After the Lakers' playoff run ended, he took a step back from the noise and started his vacation.
In early July, the movie adaptation of the comic book Fantastic Four premiered. One of the film's leading stars, Jessica Alba, was Wang Chong's girlfriend, and he accompanied her to the premiere. Tall, athletic, and impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, Wang Chong looked every bit the part of a Hollywood star. In fact, many reporters noted that he stole the spotlight from the other male leads of the film.
During the event, a reporter approached Wang Chong with a question that had been on many people's minds: "Mr. Wang Chong, you have such a commanding presence and striking appearance. Have you ever considered pursuing a career in the film or television industry in the future?"
It was a question that had been posed to many NBA superstars before him. In the United States, the top NBA players are not only famous for their on-court performances but also for their influence off the court. Their immense popularity often leads to opportunities in the entertainment industry, and even players without acting skills are sometimes invited to make cameos in films or TV shows.
There were numerous examples of NBA stars venturing into Hollywood. The most iconic example, of course, was Michael Jordan, who starred in Space Jam in 1996. The film was a huge success, grossing $230 million worldwide and securing a spot as the ninth highest-grossing movie of the year.
Years later, LeBron James followed in Jordan's footsteps by starring in Space Jam 2. But despite James' star power, the film failed to replicate the success of the original. Released in 2021, Space Jam 2 grossed $144 million, a figure that seemed impressive at first glance. However, considering the $150 million production budget and the additional costs for promotion and distribution, the movie ended up losing over $200 million. Warner Bros. likely regretted their decision to bank on James to replicate Jordan's magic.
The failure of Space Jam 2 served as a stark reminder that what Michael Jordan achieved was no easy feat. Not every NBA superstar could transition to Hollywood successfully.
Wang Chong was well aware of this reality. He knew that while he might be a dominant force on the basketball court, acting was an entirely different skill set. Without proper training, stepping into the world of film could easily turn into an embarrassing failure.
However, making a brief cameo appearance in a movie wasn't entirely out of the question. NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, for instance, was set to make a cameo in Scary Movie 4 the following year, with the opening scene parodying the horror film Saw. O'Neal's comedic performance, especially the moment when he woke up and humorously called out "Kobe?" upon realizing he was kidnapped, was expected to be a highlight for basketball fans familiar with the infamous "Shaq-Kobe" rivalry.
While Wang Chong had no immediate plans to dabble in acting, his relationship with Jessica Alba had given him insight into the movie industry. And though he wasn't interested in taking on acting roles himself, he realized that there were plenty of movies that would be worth investing in. After all, he had knowledge of future box office hits thanks to his unique situation, and investing in them could be a lucrative side venture.
When asked about the possibility of pursuing acting, Wang Chong responded to the reporter with a smile, "Maybe one day. If the right opportunity comes along, I'll consider it."
But that was just a small side note in the grand scheme of things.
The real story on everyone's mind was still Wang Chong's future in the NBA.
A few days later, things started to take shape. According to insider reports from a well-known basketball journalist, one team had entered serious negotiations with the Lakers to acquire Wang Chong. The outcome of the trade would likely be revealed in the next two days.
Initially, many fans and analysts were skeptical, assuming it was just another piece of fake news designed to attract attention.
But two days later, the unexpected happened: the Lakers made an official announcement.
The Los Angeles Lakers traded Wang Chong and veteran forward Brian Grant to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Kirk Hinrich, sharpshooter Ben Gordon, and center Eddy Curry, along with the Bulls' first-round draft pick for the 2006 NBA Draft.
The news shocked the league.
No one had predicted that Wang Chong would end up with the Chicago Bulls, nor did they expect the Bulls to offer such a massive package in return for the rising star.
Kirk Hinrich, a former seventh overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, was one of the most promising young point guards in the league. In his second season with the Bulls, he averaged 15.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, solidifying himself as one of the best young playmakers in the NBA.
Ben Gordon, the third overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, had just finished his rookie season. Despite coming off the bench, he won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award by averaging 15 points per game, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to earn that honor.
As for Eddy Curry, the 7-foot center had shown flashes of brilliance, averaging 16 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the Bulls. His size, athleticism, and scoring potential earned him the nickname "Baby Shaq," and he was seen as a future star in the league.
All three players were highly coveted by the Lakers.
The Lakers had long wanted a powerful presence in the paint, and Eddy Curry fit the bill perfectly. Meanwhile, with veteran point guard Chucky Atkins set to leave in free agency, the Lakers needed a new floor general, and Kirk Hinrich was an ideal candidate to fill that role. Ben Gordon, despite playing the same position as Kobe Bryant, could provide a scoring spark off the bench as the Lakers' sixth man.
In addition to landing three promising young players, the Lakers also managed to offload Brian Grant's contract. Grant, who was acquired as part of the Shaquille O'Neal trade, was earning $13 million per year but had become a shell of his former self, averaging just 3.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in limited minutes. Clearing his contract was a significant victory for the Lakers' front office.
For Wang Chong, the trade to the Bulls was an opportunity.
As a time traveler with knowledge of the future, he knew that while the players the Bulls gave up had potential, they weren't the most valuable pieces on the roster. The Bulls still had Luol Deng and Tyson Chandler, two players that Wang Chong believed had even more upside.
Deng, a versatile forward, would go on to average 19 points and 7 rebounds at his peak while also becoming one of the league's best defenders. Chandler, a defensive anchor, would eventually win the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award.
With Deng and Chandler as his defensive backbone, Wang Chong believed the Bulls had the potential to compete for a championship with just a few adjustments.
Perhaps even more importantly, the Bulls were eager to build their team around him. General Manager John Paxson personally reached out to Wang Chong, expressing the team's desire to make him the centerpiece of the franchise.
"You will be the heart of this team," Paxson told him over the phone. "We want to build a championship contender around you."
This level of respect and influence was something Wang Chong never had with the Lakers. As a young player in Los Angeles, he was always in the shadow of Kobe Bryant and had little say in the team's decisions. But in Chicago, the Bulls were giving him a seat at the table. He would have a voice in trades, signings, and the overall direction of the team.
This was crucial for Wang Chong. With his knowledge of the league's future, he could help the Bulls target underrated talents and make the necessary moves to build a contender.
Chicago, as a city, also appealed to Wang Chong. As the third-largest city in the United States, it offered all the perks of a major metropolitan area, from its passionate sports fans to its bustling economy.
After considering all these factors, Wang Chong decided that joining the Bulls was the right move. He was ready to don the iconic red jersey and chase after the legacy of Michael Jordan, the player many considered to be the greatest of all time.
It was a new chapter in Wang Chong's career, and the entire NBA world was watching.
Wang Chong's decision to invest in Transformers raised a few eyebrows, especially from his agent, Henry Thomas. As an NBA player, venturing into movie investments seemed like a big leap, but Wang Chong wasn't like most players. His mind wasn't limited to just basketball; he was thinking years ahead, building a brand and setting up streams of income that could sustain him beyond his playing years.
To many, the $10 million he invested in the film might have seemed like a massive risk, especially in a genre that had not yet seen the monumental success it would in the coming years. But Wang Chong had an edge—he knew what would happen.
And while Transformers was a risky venture, Wang Chong was confident it would pay off. The movie's potential for success, driven by a mix of nostalgia and cutting-edge effects, was clear to him. Not to mention, the chance to help Jessica Alba land a leading role only sweetened the deal.
After finalizing the movie investment, Wang Chong shifted his focus back to basketball. His offseason training continued rigorously, and with the help of his personal trainer and the facilities Thomas had arranged, he worked day and night to refine his game.
Though Wang Chong was confident about his abilities, the upcoming season would be his true test. Without the safety net of star teammates like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, he would have to shoulder the load for the Bulls. The Chicago media and fans were eagerly waiting to see if their new acquisition could lead the team to glory.
As the 2005-2006 NBA season approached, media outlets across the country speculated about how Wang Chong would fare in his new role. ESPN analysts debated whether Wang Chong could handle being the Bulls' centerpiece.
"Wang Chong had the luxury of playing alongside future Hall of Famers in LA," one analyst said. "But now, he's on his own. The question is: Can he elevate his game to carry this team?"
On Movistar Deportes, the narrative was slightly different. Hispanic media had been more focused on Wang Chong's global appeal, noting that his popularity transcended basketball and that his off-court decisions, including his movie investments, were further cementing him as a global icon.
"People underestimate Wang Chong because they see him as a young player," said one commentator. "But his moves, both on and off the court, show he's a thinker, a strategist. He's setting himself up for success, not just in basketball, but in life."
Despite the media frenzy, Wang Chong kept a low profile during the offseason. His time in the gym paid off as he became leaner, faster, and stronger. He knew the upcoming season would be tough, but he also understood that this was his chance to prove he wasn't just a sidekick to bigger stars.
When Wang Chong finally met up with his new teammates, there was an air of cautious optimism. Raja Bell, Monta Ellis, and Luol Deng welcomed Wang Chong with open arms, knowing that his presence was key to the team's success.
The team chemistry wasn't perfect, and there were still question marks about the strength of the bench, but Wang Chong felt the pieces were slowly coming together. In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but think about the long-term vision he had for the Bulls—a vision that included multiple championships and turning Chicago into a basketball powerhouse once again.
While Wang Chong's focus was primarily on basketball, his thoughts occasionally drifted back to his business ventures. Jessica Alba had auditioned for Transformers, and while no decisions had been made, Wang Chong was excited about the possibilities.
Wang Chong's investments weren't just about making money; they were about building a legacy. He didn't want to be remembered solely as a basketball player. He wanted to be known as someone who took risks, made smart investments, and influenced the culture both in sports and in entertainment.
By the time the NBA season began, Wang Chong had already set several plans in motion. His journey with the Bulls was just beginning, but off the court, his future was just as bright.
He smiled to himself one evening, sitting in his Chicago mansion. It had been a crazy ride since he first entered the league, and yet, he felt like he was just getting started.
End of this chapter
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