Chapter 45: Letters of Intent

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With the draft lottery results finalized, teams began locking in their final choices for potential draftees.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' first pick was a foregone conclusion, but other teams operated discreetly, avoiding leaks that could jeopardize their plans. After all, securing a preferred player before the draft could spark last-minute competition. In the fiercely competitive NBA landscape, poaching prospects from rivals is often faster than relying on scouts and video reviews.

In 2003, a legendary draft year, the top five prospects were almost guaranteed to be snatched up early. This made finding hidden gems in the 7th to 15th range the primary focus for many teams—and Wang Song was no exception.

### A Storm of Interest

Once the lottery results were announced, Wang Song made his agent's contact information public. David Falk, the seasoned agent behind Michael Jordan's legendary career, was inundated with offers, pushing his workload to the brink.

Despite the chaos, Falk prioritized Wang Song's career, postponing commitments to other major NBA stars to focus on the young prospect.

Observing Falk's dedication, Wang Song couldn't help but smile, enjoying his relatively relaxed role. His responsibilities were limited to attending workouts and showcasing his skills in various NBA facilities.

After numerous trials, Wang Song received offers from multiple teams. Being a promising center, his market appeal was strong. Adding his Chinese heritage to the equation drew even more attention.

By the week leading up to the draft, Wang Song had participated in 14 team workouts. He declined invitations from the remaining teams, citing fatigue after traveling across so many cities.

"These teams really expect me to visit all of them?" Wang Song grumbled. "Only the New York Knicks showed any consideration."

David Falk chuckled, patting his young client on the shoulder.

"Wang, hard work pays off. Just look at all these letters of intent."

Wang Song rolled his eyes at the stack of letters. Despite the effort of attending so many workouts, only one team would ultimately draft him.

Falk, however, insisted the numerous trials would help future contract negotiations. Trusting Falk's expertise, Wang Song reluctantly agreed. Their fates were now intertwined—success for one meant success for the other.

### Weighing the Options

"David, which teams have shown the most sincerity? Once we narrow them down, we can wait for the draft in peace."

Falk nodded. "The most promising are the New York Knicks at 9th, the Los Angeles Clippers at 6th, and the Detroit Pistons with the 2nd pick.

"The Knicks, in particular, have gone all out. They've offered every assurance imaginable. Unfortunately, they hold the 9th pick, and there's a strong chance you'll be taken before then. If they trade up for you, you could end up as a bargaining chip in future deals, which isn't ideal."

"As for the Clippers, their big-market appeal and need for fresh talent make them a good match. However…" Falk hesitated before continuing, "…their current owner, Donald Sterling, is a white man."

Wang Song immediately understood the implications. The subtle reminder of race was enough to sway his decision.

"Clippers? Pass!" Wang Song gestured an "X" with his arms. "You could've warned me earlier, David! I wouldn't have wasted a trip to L.A."

"Uh… I only realized during the background checks," Falk admitted sheepishly. "Besides, didn't you visit the Lakers too?"

"Come on, the Lakers only care about championships. With Kobe on the team, they won't invest time in developing a rookie. And their late first-round pick is even less appealing than the Knicks' position."

### The Detroit Question

As they eliminated other options, Falk paused. Wang Song raised an eyebrow.

"You're thinking about the Detroit Pistons, aren't you?"

Wang Song reflected on his experience with the Pistons. Unlike other teams, Detroit hadn't contacted him before extending a workout invitation. It seemed like an impulsive decision.

Yet, the trial itself was anything but improvised. The Pistons' workout regimen and evaluation process were meticulously tailored, as if they had been preparing for his arrival all along.

"Detroit has a lot going for it," Falk said. "Apart from being a smaller market, they're solid across the board. They're not a weak team, but they're also not overshadowed by a storied legacy. If you join, they could quickly rise as an Eastern powerhouse."

Falk hadn't forgotten Wang Song's ambitious goals: Rookie of the Year, surpassing Jordan's legacy, and becoming a global superstar. Achieving these milestones required a team with strong foundations and potential.

While other teams promised to build around Wang Song, rebuilding from scratch was a lengthy process. Teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, despite drafting three first-overall picks, remained bottom-tier. Detroit, however, already had the pieces to complement a rising star.

"Maybe Detroit isn't such a bad choice," Wang Song muttered, lost in thought.

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(End of Chapter)