The One-Year Agreement.

"I can't promise you right away, but I think it should be possible."

Ferry's response left Han Sen stunned.

He couldn't help but wonder what kind of instructions Ferry had received from James.

"Han, can we have a conversation that we'll forget as soon as we step outside this door?" Ferry continued.

He nodded; perhaps the answer to his question lay in the words that would follow.

"What do you think the chances are that LeBron will leave if he can't win a championship in Cleveland this year?"

Even though Han had mentally prepared himself, Ferry's question still caught him off guard.

"100%," Hansen replied bluntly. Since it was a "forget-it-once-we-leave" conversation, he had no need to hold back.

"Yes, I think so too, though this is just my personal opinion," Ferry added cautiously. "From my perspective, I believe he's done enough for this team, having fought for seven years. He's already given everything to this team and the fans of this city."

It was clear that Ferry and James had more than just a professional relationship as GM and player.

Of course, what Hansen didn't know was that Ferry had arrived at the Cavaliers the same year as James, and they had weathered the ups and downs of the team together.

"But if he chooses to leave, it will be difficult for him to become a legend. As 'The Chosen One,' he would leave as a failure."

While Ferry was lamenting, Han Sen couldn't help but laugh again.

'The Chosen One,' once a symbol of greatness, had now become a burden— how ironic.

"So, he needs this championship," Ferry said plainly, sensing that convincing Han to stay wouldn't be easy.

"That's what he needs, not me," Hansen responded just as directly.

Winning a championship as a rookie would undoubtedly be great, but after everything he had been through, he had no interest in helping James win a title.

Ferry glanced at Thomas. Judging by Thomas' earlier questions, it seemed that Hansen was more interested in opportunities and development than championships.

Ferry then turned his attention back to Han. "But don't you need a stage?"

"I can tell you this: if a trade does happen, the team will definitely send you to the Western Conference, but it will be to a bottom-feeder team."

Ferry referred to the type of struggling team Thomas had previously mentioned.

It was clear that Han Sen's performance in today's scrimmage had made the Cavaliers wary of him.

"You know, for rookies, the playoffs are an important stage— it's where players truly prove their worth."

Is there really such a huge difference in talent between players? Take Zach Randolph from the Grizzlies and Tim Duncan from the Spurs, for example. On the surface, they seem incomparable, but many times, they could go head-to-head.

That's the importance of the stage. Duncan appeared in the playoffs year after year, while Randolph had only been there once in his career, giving people the impression that he was just putting up empty stats on a bad team.

There are plenty of similar examples, like Paul Pierce and Pau Gasol. Although both barely made the playoffs, neither made a significant impact. However, once they reached the Finals and even won championships, their standing in the league soared.

That's the stage— most players aren't attracted by the championship ring itself, but by the financial benefits that come afterward.

Winning a championship and signing a new contract often means a big payday.

Han Sen had to start thinking.

If he went to a bottom-feeder team, he would undoubtedly get more opportunities and better stats.

But this wasn't much different from when he had chosen to attend Barry University.

He talked big, but no one paid attention; he put up great numbers, but they were deemed meaningless; and he had to rack his brain just to get some [hater points].

But staying with the Cavaliers, he could still easily get those points, and the Cavaliers could now offer him everything he wanted.

The only issue was James.

"I won't try to get along with LeBron off the court. I'll just remain professional on the court," He finally said.

"No problem."

"At press conferences, can I refuse to answer questions about LeBron? Windhorst's questions are just sickening."

"That's entirely your choice."

"If I continue to be targeted or if you don't keep your promises, I'll still request a trade."

"Your concerns won't happen again."

Han stopped talking, knowing that no matter what he said, Ferry would agree.

Thomas nodded toward him at this point.

From the start, Thomas' intention had been to help him secure more benefits.

However, Han didn't immediately agree because another thought crossed his mind.

All these conditions he was setting were based on only being teammates with James for one season. As a time traveler, Han knew James would soon leave Cleveland.

But if the Cavaliers won a championship, would James still leave?

Theoretically, yes— James was backed by Nike, and they needed him to go to a big city to enhance his personal brand.

But there was always the possibility that James would stay.

For instance, he could sign a short-term contract, make one more run at a championship with the Cavaliers, and then leave if he failed, ensuring he'd leave "with no regrets for this city".

That was very possible, as James' team had always been crafting that narrative for him.

But that outcome was the last thing Han Sen wanted.

"I have one more request."

"Go ahead," Ferry said, looking pleased, sensing he was close to fulfilling James' orders.

"If LeBron chooses to stay next summer, I want a trade to the team of my choice."

Ferry froze for a moment but quickly understood.

Han Sen's mindset was different from that of most Americans. He wouldn't brush everything aside and say, "It was all a misunderstanding", just for the sake of personal gain.

He hadn't forgotten what James had done to him, and the only reason he was staying was for the stage Ferry had mentioned.

"Okay," Ferry agreed after a moment of thought.

This wasn't just because James had told him, "I need the championship this year," but also because of Han Sen's personality.

If the Cavaliers didn't win the championship and James left, Han's personality could make him the team's new franchise player, especially since he had a huge market in the East.

And if the Cavaliers did win and James stayed, Ferry could always trade Han for another player or players willing to serve James. Winning the championship would only further boost Han's trade value.

"Verbal agreements are meaningless," Han said. He didn't trust NBA GMs; as a time traveler, he knew too many stories of broken promises.

"So, what do you want?"

"I want it in writing. If the team doesn't fulfill its promises, I'll expose everything that happened during the scrimmage today and all of the promises we've made to the media. You know I have the ability to do that."

Ferry was stunned. He hadn't expected a rookie like Han to be so meticulous.

He glanced outside. Didn't Khalil say he was adjusting equipment? Does that really take this long?

"This has never been done before," Ferry said, showing a bit of hesitation.

"Then today will be the first," Han replied firmly.

"Fine!" Ferry finally gritted his teeth and agreed. He had to get this done for James, no matter what.

And so, the two men who had been chatting casually a moment ago called for paper and a pen to draft a written agreement.

The basic content was that Ferry would guarantee Han Sen the role and team status he had promised earlier, and if LeBron chose to stay after a year, Han would be traded to the team of his choice.

After signing the agreement, Han asked Khalil to head back while he went upstairs with Ferry.

Instead of taking Han directly back to the practice facility, Ferry took him to the GM's office.

After indicating that Han should wait outside, Ferry went in.

A moment later, he came back out, with LeBron by his side.

"I think I owe you an apology. There were some misunderstandings between us," LeBron said with a smile.

The classic "misunderstanding".

Han smiled too, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Because in his mind, he was picturing the scene of LeBron kneeling at the Celtics' arena.

Nike probably never expected their "Chosen One" would become someone so "flexible".

After leaving the GM's office, Han Sen headed back to the locker room. He needed a shower and a fresh set of clothes— he was stinking right now.

By the time he returned to the locker room, most of the Cavaliers had already left, but he saw someone there.

"Dante, why are you still here?" Han Sen was a little surprised to see Cunningham.

"I just saw Ferry take you to the GM's office," he said as he stood up, looking a bit concerned. "Are you really leaving?"

Han shook his head.

"You're not leaving?" Cunningham's face brightened, but then he quickly pulled back his emotions.

"Did they still refuse to let you go?"

"Dante, let me shower first, then let's go grab a meal and talk about it." The locker room wasn't the place for that conversation.

After the shower, the two went to a café and got a private room. He told Cunningham everything, leaving out only a few details he couldn't share.

There was nothing for Han to hide from Cunningham.

"My relationship with him is now like Kobe and Shaq in the later years of the Lakers," Han said, using a vivid analogy.

In the NBA, players are essentially coworkers. Most fans think that the relationships between players are how the league markets them. The classic example was the Rockets' "Yao-McGrady" combination.

In reality, even when they played on the same team, Yao and McGrady were never that close.

What fans didn't know was that Yao and McGrady weren't even in the same friend circles off the court. The truth was, Yao was closer to Derek Fisher, his adversary on the court.

"You know what? If it were me, I'd leave," Cunningham said, surprising Han Sen with his candidness.

"What? Why?"

"I used to think that no one would care if I left. If I could be the cornerstone of a team, I'd leave and find my own path," Cunningham said, a hint of resolve in his voice. "But now that you're here, things are different."

Cunningham then reached out and patted Han Sen on the shoulder.

He wasn't a fool. Reflecting on how he had made the starting line-up he knew Han Sen had influenced the decision behind the scenes with Shaq. Even though he didn't show it, he was extremely grateful.

Han Sen is the brother he's going to stick with through thick and thin!