Chapitre 17: The Trade Is Finalized
Life is full of twists and turns. Just when Jay Sun thought his draft night drama had been dramatic enough, things took an even more unexpected turn. During the draft, he had sympathized with Wiggins' situation, and now, he found himself in a similar predicament.
"Bill, where am I being traded to?" Jay asked, trying to stay calm. After all, he had the system to fall back on. Worst-case scenario, he could win a championship a bit later than planned.
"To the Cleveland Cavaliers," Bill Duffy replied. "But the trade isn't finalized yet—just a verbal agreement. It seems like they're planning something big. Keep quiet about this in public for now."
"Cleveland?!" Jay was stunned. Just the other day, he'd been daydreaming about the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, and now he was headed to the humble streets of Cleveland.
"Alright, no problem. But what about the Summer League? What am I supposed to do?" Jay asked, feeling conflicted.
"Don't worry about the Summer League," Duffy reassured him. "Until the trade is complete, you're still part of the Clippers. Jay, as a professional player, you need to maintain your professionalism. Your only focus should be on playing well. Leave everything else to me—that's my job."
Hearing this put Jay at ease.
After the call, Jay couldn't focus on training. His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of his future in Cleveland.
If everything went the same as in his previous life, LeBron James would return to the Cavaliers this season, and Wiggins would be traded to the Timberwolves for Kevin Love.
That Cavaliers team would make it to the NBA Finals with a lineup often referred to as the "Seven Samurai."
"This means I might have a chance to win a championship in my first year, and for sure by the second year!" Jay's imagination ran wild. "Doesn't this sound better than staying with the Clippers?"
But there was no point dwelling on it just yet. In a few days, Jay would represent the Clippers in the Las Vegas Summer League, which ran from July 12th to July 22nd.
Jay was unsure whether the Cavaliers were trading for his draft rights or if they'd wait to sign him before making the trade. NBA rules prohibited trading signed players for 30 days after signing.
Shaking off these thoughts, Jay focused on the present.
A few days later, the Summer League began, and Jay arrived at the team's designated hotel in Las Vegas.
On July 12th, the day after Jay arrived, LeBron James published his now-famous open letter in Sports Illustrated, announcing his return to Cleveland.
The news caused a media frenzy, though it didn't have much to do with Jay. He skimmed the headlines and moved on.
The Summer League featured mostly rookies and undrafted players, many of whom were fighting for their careers.
Jay didn't expect to dominate but focused on staying healthy and finishing the games without injury. He didn't want to be one of those players whose careers were derailed by injury before they even began.
Throughout the Summer League, Jay played smart. He passed when needed, took open shots, and only drove to the basket when he had a clear path, such as in fast-break situations.
As a late first-round pick, Jay got plenty of playing time. His measured approach ensured he maintained high efficiency. Plus, he had the Closer badge to give him an edge in critical moments.
After ten days, the Summer League concluded. Jay averaged 13.8 points, 5.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. His shooting splits were impressive: 48.5% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range.
While not earth-shattering, his performance was efficient and reliable.
After the Summer League, the Clippers still hadn't mentioned anything about signing Jay. He wasn't too worried and spent his free time training and exploring the bustling streets of Los Angeles.
As boredom started to creep in, Jay received a call—from his father.
"Son, how's everything going? Eating well? Need money?" His father's distinct accent made Jay pause for a moment.
"Uh, I'm good, Dad. I don't need money. What made you call me today?" Jay replied with a laugh.
"Well, I saw on the news that some guy named Jay Sun from Kentucky University—hey, that's your name too—just got into the NBA. Did you hear about this?"
"Dad, it's called Kentucky, not Kentucky Fried Chicken," Jay corrected him, shaking his head.
"Focus on the important part! Did you know about this?"
"Dad, what if I told you that Jay Sun is me?" Jay teased.
"Wait, really? You're not joking?"
"I'm serious, Dad. It's me."
"Wow! Honey, our son made it to the NBA! Can you believe that?" Jay's father shouted.
"Of course, I know! There's this thing called the internet—you should try it sometime," his mother's voice rang out in the background.
Hearing his parents' playful banter brought a smile to Jay's face.
After some heartfelt encouragement and reassurances that he'd take care of himself, Jay ended the call feeling much lighter.
The very next day, the trade became official.
The Clippers traded Jay, their 28th pick, to the Cavaliers in exchange for Joe Harris, the 33rd pick, and some cash considerations.
Hearing the news, Jay let out a sigh of relief.
Soon after, Bill Duffy called to let him know it was time to head to Cleveland and finalize his rookie contract with the Cavaliers.
From an outsider's perspective, the trade was insignificant—just a swap of two late-round rookies. It barely made headlines.
After some travel, Jay finally arrived in Cleveland, nicknamed "The Land."
Walking through the city's streets, Jay couldn't help but marvel at how vastly different Cleveland was from Los Angeles. The nickname "The Land" felt fitting—it truly had a village-like vibe.
Accompanied by Bill Duffy, Jay entered the Cavaliers' training facility and was greeted by staff members.
The rookie contract was standard: three years, $4.2 million, with a team option for the final year.
After signing, Jay was about to leave when a smiling man walked toward him.
"Jay, welcome! I'm Tyronn Lue, the head coach of the Cavaliers," the man said, extending his hand.
Jay was momentarily taken aback. Wait… wasn't the head coach supposed to be David Blatt?
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone