Heading to LA for a Workout with The Lakers

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: January 24th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Time: 10:21 AM)~~~

~~~(Location: Entering Airport, Holden, Oregon)~~~

Today is my 18th birthday, and everything has been going great so far. Ellie and Hannah are excited about the trip to LA. While I go for the National HS Championship every year, I never get a chance to look around and have fun. Even when we won every year, all these thoughts are bringing back fresh pain from the death of my team. My friends...

Ellie and Hannah are right behind me as we approach the gate for the plane that's heading to LA. All our luggage is taken care of. Ellie and Hannah are both excited about first-class, and I'm in the same boat. "Ellie, how did you manage to convince my parents to let me come? They weren't thrilled about the idea until you talked you them..." That was an early snag two days ago...

Hannah's parents weren't happy with the thought of her skipping school with me and heading to LA for my birthday. "I talked to your mom. Helped her understand how much this means to Ulysses. After I explained how good this would be for the both of you, she said it was okay with her." Ellie is the only reason I lived in my old life, and she's stepping up just like she always did this life.

Ellie and Hannah have grown close, and it makes me more than happy that my adoptive mother approves of the girl I'm dating. "Mind teaching me that skill? Sometimes, they can be as stubborn as a roach." While I can't see Ellie's face since they're following behind me, I feel like she's smiling. They continue talking as we enter the plane and get directed to our seats.

Some people looked at me weirdly, but now we're alone in first class. "Are you excited that you get to work out with an NBA team? This is the first of many trips and tryouts, so this can be considered a trial run." Hannah's right about that... All the top picks in the lottery will want me to come out and play with the team to see out well I fit.

While the Draft hasn't happened yet, mock drafts have been done based on this season's current standings. The Knicks, The Lakers, The Pistons, and The Pacers have the best chances to draft me at number one, but that's still far off. Other teams have small chances, but these are the prominent names with the best odds.

The thought of being flown around the country to try out for teams and balance school is daunting. While my grades are excellent, I couldn't imagine how hard this is for a student that struggles. "I think it's great, Hannah... But it sucks that you and Ellie won't be able to come with me on all my trips..." Ellie and Hannah can't spare the same time that I can.

Holden to LA is a 2-hour trip by plane, and I'm glad that this commute is fast. We'll be in LA for three days, and I'm going to enjoy every minute I can of it. "I wish I could go with you... I'm lucky I even have time for this... My gymnastics meetings are going to be packed coming up... We might have little time to see each other..." I don't even want to think about that right now.

~~~(POV: Stephen A. Smith)~~~

~~~(Location: New York City, Guest Analyst on Sportscenter)~~~

~~~(Time: 1:31 PM EST)~~~

Today's First Take wasn't that interesting, but news has come out since we wrapped up today's show. Apparently, Ulysses Kennedy is being flown in by the LA Organization to try out for the team. The Draft isn't until late July, and players with high-value head to teams to try out with the teams and see out they fit. I expect Ulysses to be doing a lot of flying these coming months.

My attention is taken by the absolute filth coming from Kendrick Perkin's gums. "I don't see why the rules are being bent so much for Ulysses! The fact he's getting special treatment and being allowed to skip college shows how much favoritism he's being shown! No matter how good a player is, this should cause an outrage!!" He fails to comprehend the talent that is The Singularity.

The NBA needs Ulysses, while there are massive superstars in the NBA. Ulysses is fresh talented blood that will bring attention for years to come. "Okay, first of all, you're wrong. Second of all, where do you get off inferring that the NBA is showing favoritism when it's well established they do? They've been doing this for years. It's just that it's with a high schooler now." This is going to be a long debate.