章 255: I'm Back.
"What? Han's returned to Cleveland?!"
When Rich Paul informed LeBron James about the ongoing developments, LeBron was utterly dumbfounded.
This summer, LeBron had signed a four-year, $80 million contract extension with Nike—roughly the same value as his previous deal.
However, sneaker deals are like rowing upstream: if you're not advancing, you're falling behind.
In a normal trajectory, his third contract with Nike should have been a lifetime deal.
But not only was that not the case, Nike had instead renewed Kevin Durant with a jaw-dropping 10-year, $300 million deal.
The contrast in contracts made it clear: despite Durant failing to win a championship last season, Nike had shifted their focus toward him.
It wasn't surprising, though—LeBron hadn't achieved anything notable in the past couple of years.
To make matters worse, LeBron's new deal came with a price: he had to follow Nike's directives unconditionally.
His team had explored talks with Adidas, but Adidas seemed more interested in another James—James Harden.
Ultimately, LeBron chose to accept Nike's offer, especially after the executives painted a vivid picture of a 'hometown basketball' narrative.
His struggles in recent years could all be traced back to his Decision 1. Returning to Cleveland and fulfilling his championship promise could redeem everything.
'Hometown basketball' was destined to be the most heartfelt chapter of his career.
Beyond sentimentality, Nike promised to build the perfect team for him.
Kyrie Irving, Nike's rising star, had a flashy style but had yet to make the playoffs. He needed the guidance of an established veteran like LeBron.
Kevin Love, with his stellar numbers in Minnesota but zero playoff experience, needed a bigger stage to prove himself.
LeBron was even prepared to deliver a Decision 2, reclaiming the spotlight this summer.
But all of that had been wrecked by Han Sen's trade!
The previous rumors were tolerable—they were just temporary distractions. As a free agent, LeBron's moment would come when free agency opened.
But now… now you're telling him Han Sen went to Cleveland?!
If Han went there, where could LeBron go?
The whole hometown basketball narrative hinged on the fact that he was the Son of Akron, with Akron and Cleveland both in Ohio.
What could he claim now? That he's an American, so anywhere in America is his hometown?
LeBron's expression twisted in rage as reality set in.
"That bastard Han! Of all the other 28 teams he could've chosen, why Cleveland?!"
"I heard Han wanted to stay in Memphis, but the Grizzlies' owner traded him because of salary issues," Rich Paul said, trying to console him.
"Do you believe that?" LeBron shot back. Only the folks in Memphis would buy into Han's nonsense.
Rich Paul shook his head. "But one thing's for sure: Cleveland wasn't Han's first choice. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been so much drama."
That was all it took to shift LeBron's fury into reluctant acceptance.
Even knowing Han didn't voluntarily choose Cleveland, LeBron couldn't feel entirely relieved.
Han's presence still meant his path to returning to Cleveland was blocked—completely.
"The Nike guys have already contacted me. They're working on a Plan B and should have a solution soon," Rich Paul added.
Hearing this, LeBron exhaled deeply.
Nike had given him the new contract, so they'd undoubtedly figure out his next destination.
Still, he needed an outlet for his frustration.
"Reach out to Diddy. See when his next party is."
...
Han Sen stood on the balcony of his rented villa.
The place wasn't far from FedExForum, so from here, he could see the commotion around the arena.
No surprise—Heisley likely wouldn't last much longer in Memphis.
If he dared to return, there was a nonzero chance someone might offer him peanuts—the kind served from a gun barrel.
By now, no one dared bring up the original terms of Han's contract, not even the Grizzlies players.
Even if someone mentioned it, no one would believe it.
Han leaving Memphis was a fact, and someone had to take the blame.
But all of this was Heisley's doing. Han had intended for a peaceful parting, but some people always underestimated his patience.
Just then, Rondo joined him on the balcony.
Han had stepped out for some fresh air.
Inside, they'd been watching the draft.
The Cavaliers had unsurprisingly selected Andrew Wiggins with the first overall pick—on behalf of the Grizzlies, of course.
Wiggins' talent was undeniable, but whether he could shed his 'comfort zone' image in Memphis remained to be seen.
It wasn't what Han had envisioned, but for guys like Randolph and Gay, it might work out well enough.
"The call went through," Rondo said, holding his phone.
On the other end of the line was David Griffin.
Because it was draft night and the Cavaliers held the first pick, it had taken a while to get through.
"Han, I can't wait to see you!" David Griffin's excited voice came through the phone.
Among the many perks of returning to the Cavaliers, one thing that hadn't been mentioned enough was Griffin himself.
Han had a good impression of the GM, who had once personally delivered his locker nameplate, helped him move his belongings, and checked in on him immediately after his injury.
"Before we meet, there's something I need you to do," Han said directly.
"Anything—just don't ask me to trade you back again!" Griffin quipped, still riding the high.
The last GM to trade for Han, Chris Wallace, was now the Nets' new president. His promotion was largely thanks to that trade for Han.
If Griffin could bring Han back to the Cavaliers, it would be the crowning achievement of his career.
"Find a way to acquire a late first-round pick and draft a Serbian player named Nikola Jokić," Han instructed.
Cleveland wasn't exactly a hot spot for top-tier free agents, so building through the draft was their only option.
While rookies required time to develop, Han wasn't in a rush—unlike LeBron.
In fact, if it weren't for Wiggins being part of the trade package that brought him back, Han wouldn't have minded mentoring the 'Tea Prince' and helping him grow.
After all, Wiggins had never fully realized his potential in history.
"No problem," Griffin replied decisively.
"Make sure it happens," Han reiterated for emphasis.
Returning to the Cavaliers meant the team wouldn't have high lottery picks for the next few years. Their best bet was to find hidden gems in the late first round—a process often referred to as 'dumpster diving' for talent.
And when it came to hidden gems, none were bigger than Jokić.
Besides, Cleveland's backcourt already had Kyrie Irving; their real weakness was the frontcourt.
"Consider it done," Griffin guaranteed.
If it had been a lottery pick, he might have needed Dan Gilbert's approval. But for a late first-rounder, Griffin had full autonomy.
After hanging up, Han returned to the room.
The draft was still in its lottery phase, so he picked up his phone and started scrolling through social media.
...
"I'm a Heat fan. Thank you, Heisley! The sun is finally shining in Miami—it's our time now!"
"I'm a Spurs fan. That damn bastard is finally out of the West! Now it's full steam ahead for TD's final championship run!"
"The Grizzlies can't keep paying over $40 million in luxury taxes every year. If Han refuses to let the management trade anyone else, then they have no choice but to trade him."
"Players shouldn't meddle in management decisions. Han overstepped his boundaries, so he got traded. I don't see anything wrong with that."
"Han's success depended on the Grizzlies' system. Nobody wants to play in Cleveland, so he'll never win another championship there."
"The Cavs gave up too much to trade for Han Sen. He won't achieve anything LeBron couldn't in Cleveland."
"What's left in Cleveland? Kyrie and Tristan Thompson? No matter how good Han is, what can he do with that?"
"This trade ruined the Cavaliers. They could've traded Wiggins for Love and brought in LeBron, forming a contender. Instead, now they're just a playoff team."
"Even after leading the Grizzlies to a dynasty, Han still has a lot to prove."
"Brother, basketball is a team sport. Wasn't Jordan great in his first six years with the Bulls? He still lost."
"Cleveland has zero championships in the four major sports leagues. That says it all—no one succeeds there!"
"The Cavs' management is a joke. Four years ago, they traded Han away, and none of the assets they got in return remain. Now they've given up almost everything they've built over the past four years to trade him back. Those four years of tanking were for nothing!"
"Dan Gilbert is about to become the league's biggest joke. He thinks he's getting Jordan, but he'll soon find out Han is no Jordan."
"Before Han went to Memphis, who thought he could bring a dynasty to that chaotic city? You don't understand what having him means!"
"I'm a Cavs fan. Y'all don't need to worry about us. Han will bring us a championship—I have no doubt!"
"Ever heard the phrase, 'Sour grapes'? Mark my words: when Han lifts the championship trophy for Cleveland, you'll all eat those words."
The discourse was heated. It was clear that Han's return to Cleveland wouldn't be a smooth ride.
Still, this kind of chatter was better than Han expected—it was generating plenty of [hater points].
By now, the draft had nearly concluded.
At the 28th pick, Griffin made his move.
He traded Tyler Zeller, the 17th overall pick from 2012, to the Miami Heat for their 28th pick this year.
Han remembered Zeller—a decent rotational player with room to grow, having just finished his second season.
While the Cavs might've lost a bit in this trade, getting Jokić in return made it worthwhile.
Although the Heat management didn't play a major role in this, much like the Hornets years ago, fans would likely talk about it for years.
"The Miami Heat select Nikola Jokić, a 6-foot-11 center from Serbia," Adam Silver announced.
Hearing this, Han couldn't help but smile.
That sense of securing something valuable was immensely satisfying.
What Han didn't know was the scene unfolding in the Nuggets' draft room.
The Denver staff were stunned.
Jokić had been playing in a small Serbian league and was a hidden gem they'd scouted extensively. Unlike prospects like Dirk Nowitzki or Manu Ginóbili, who had showcased their skills on larger stages, Jokić was supposed to fly completely under the radar.
They'd planned to snag him confidently with a second-round pick.
Now, someone had swooped in and taken him with a first-rounder?
Meanwhile, far away in Serbia, Jokić was equally dumbfounded.
Wasn't he supposed to go to Denver? How had Cleveland entered the picture?
Where even was Cleveland? He pulled out a map of America to figure it out.
"Big men have less and less room to thrive in today's league," Rondo remarked, watching how invested Han was in this Serbian player.
Having spent so much time with Han, this was the first time Rondo had seen him push so hard for a draft pick.
"He's not just any big man," Han replied without elaborating.
Only he, as a time traveler, knew what Jokić would become.
With Jokić, Kyrie, and Tristan Thompson, the Cavaliers now had a legitimate shot at contention.
If things went well, they might even win more than one championship before Han's contract expired.
Han had no intention of staying in Cleveland long-term. By the time this contract ended, he'd be 30 and ready to prioritize his business ventures.
At that point, he'd likely move to a major market.
In fact, if he could've joined the Clippers now, he might've pulled a LeBron-style 'Not 7' speech.
But life rarely goes as planned. The twists and turns are what make it interesting.
Rondo then handed Han a tablet, showing a video of Cleveland fans gathered outside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, chanting his name and shouting "Welcome home!"
The crowd looked massive—easily several thousand, tightly packed together.
Surprisingly, despite the lack of police presence, the scene was incredibly orderly.
It was hard to believe that these were the same fans who had burned LeBron's jersey and stormed his mansion four years ago, just like Memphis fans were doing tonight.
To be honest, Han hadn't expected this.
He knew Cleveland fans liked him, but he'd underestimated their passion.
Returning to Cleveland hadn't been his idea, but seeing this moved him deeply.
At that moment, he realized his return might not just be fun—it might be meaningful.
With that thought, Han picked up his phone, opened his social media, and posted:
"I'm back."
-End of Volume 2-
Translator's note: I couldn't stockpile enough chapters. I tried doing it on the phone but I'm not happy with how it turned out. So I've decided to go on a hiatus until January next year.
I'll revise these last two chapters when I get back. I just wanted to end volume 2 for now since last chapter ended on a cliff.
I know I said I'd keep the daily updates. I lied.
I'm sorry...
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