Plans for Tomorrow

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

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

~~~(Location: Heading back to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, LA)~~~

~~~(Time: 5:37 PM)~~~

Jeanie Buss spent more time speaking with me after the scrimmage game, and she seems like an owner who genuinely cares about her team. Not just the money they can bring in my bringing people into the Crypto.com Arena. "Do you think we'll be able to see most of LA before we leave in a couple of days?" Hannah hasn't lost any excitement to see more of the city.

Ellie and I are too familiar with LA to want to spend that much time with the people that live here. "I said that I'd take you to see places around LA. But seeing all that LA has to offer is a little out of the question." She isn't disappointed by my answer. She continues looking out the window at the passing buildings and looks of LA.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel comes up, and our limo slows down. My mood is immediately soured by the press standing outside the hotel. There were some at The UCLA Training Facility, but they were monitored by security. "God... Can't we get a break?" Ellie takes the words right of my mouth. The limo pulls up to the hotel, and we exit.

There are immediate questions coming from reporters from ESPN. They know why I'm here. So why ask questions? "Mr. Kennedy. Do you think you see a future with you and The Lakers? There are reports that the practice run you had was excellent." I ignore any questions and head to the front doors. Hannah and Ellie are right behind me.

Before they're allowed to follow, the hotel security does us a solid and stop them at the door while we make our way to the private elevator leading to the penthouse we're staying in. Hannah is the one to press the button, and I have to lean forward, so my head doesn't hit the top of the elevator. "Will you have to deal with that in the NBA?" I don't think so.

The interest in talent is milder once you're in the NBA. I won't have people on the streets shoving cameras in my face. The only reason they're doing it is the potential for a good story. I'm a hot item right now, and when the next young star coming out of college or high school comes around, they'll have to deal with the same things as me.

Ellie sighs and leans against the back of the elevator. "I hope he doesn't. This is starting to really wear on me... And I'm not the one getting all the microphones and cameras shoved in my face... I don't know how you handle it, Sweetie..." Ellie gives an answer before I do. I decide to leave it at that, given she summed up how I feel about getting this attention.

My future as an NBA player is almost guaranteed. All I have to do is stay safe and not get injured... It makes me wonder why my friends and teammates were killed... Did God orchestrate that? Or was that me dodging a bullet? It's hard to know. The elevator opens, and Hannah darts out and heads for the window with the best view.

~~~(POV: Jeanie Buss)~~~

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

~~~(Location: UCLA Training Facility, LA)~~~

~~~(Time: 5:39 PM)~~~

Now that Ulysses is gone, I can have a private chat with Rob Palinka. I'm heading towards his office right now. I see his door up ahead, and I knock on it out of respect. "C'mon on in, Jeanie!" He knows that I'm coming. We're going to discuss what we're going to do even if we can't draft Ulysses. There is still a lot of talent. This upcoming draft class is one of the best in recent years.

I take a seat across from him, and he sets down the paperwork that he's doing. "We need to discuss who we'll pick in case we fall to the second or third pick." This isn't something I like to do. I always hope for the best possible outcome for the draft, but it's best to prepare if we don't get what we're hoping for. That's the right thing to do.