Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable-Chapter 397: The Decision.

(TL/n: I've revised this Chapter again after @Bumbum420 pointed out some inconsistencies. Going through it made me realize how valuable real-time feedback is.

So, I've set up a Discord server! https://discord.gg/pbHMgveZVe

I'll be sharing drafts when I'm unsure about certain parts, running polls to brainstorm side stories for Han's off-court life, and even taking suggestions for my next project.)

The Sacramento Kings took their meeting with Han Sen very seriously. Alongside GM Vlade Divac, both the team president and owner Vivek Ranadivé were present.

Despite years of talking with Anjali, this was Han's first time meeting Vivek in person.

Unlike Anjali, who was born and raised in the U.S., Vivek was an Indian-born immigrant who had built his empire in America. He gave off the aura of a classic elite businessman—friendly on the surface but sharp and calculating beneath the exterior.

Initially, Han saw this meeting as a mere formality. However, Divac was eager to make a strong case for why Sacramento could be Han's next home.

The Kings were willing to appoint Chris Rondo as the team's President of Basketball Operations, ensuring Han would have significant influence in the front office.

Additionally, Sacramento had a deep pool of young talent and future draft assets, giving them flexibility to build a true contender around Han.

Divac also stressed the significance of what Han could do for the franchise and the city.

Currently, many Sacramento fans were driving over 100 miles to Oakland to watch the Warriors. If Han joined the Kings, that dynamic would change completely.

In a way, the Kings and Warriors—despite not being in the same city—were still competing for the same market.

It was a compelling challenge.

Han nodded occasionally, acknowledging their sincerity. Just as he had done with the other teams, he kept his responses warm and receptive, making the Kings believe they had a legitimate chance.

But in reality?

Divac's offer wasn't convincing enough.

Everything he was offering—front office influence, a team built around him—was something Han could already have anywhere.

Still, the meeting was pleasant, and as it wrapped up, Vivek requested a private conversation with Han.

Han agreed, assuming Vivek would attempt to use personal ties—likely through Anjali—to sway him.

But what Vivek actually said?

It was far beyond what Han had expected.

"If you come to the Kings and bring us a championship, I will gift you a 10% ownership stake in the franchise upon your retirement."

Han raised an eyebrow.

That was not a small number.

According to Forbes' latest franchise valuations, the Knicks were the most valuable team at $3.6 billion. The Kings, thanks to their new Golden 1 Center, had a valuation of $1.375 billion.

10% of that? Roughly $137.5 million.

But in reality? Han would be making far more than that.

He had seen it firsthand—his presence had taken Cleveland from one of the least valuable NBA franchises to the third-most valuable, trailing only the Knicks and Lakers.

If he pulled off the same feat in Sacramento? His ownership stake could triple in worth, reaching hundreds of millions.

And at the core of it all?

Money.

At the end of the day, Han's goal in maximizing his marketability was still about making money.

And ownership equity was the fastest way to do that.

This was an enticing offer.

"I'll seriously consider it," Han replied. He was intrigued, but he wasn't about to commit on the spot.

After saying his goodbyes, Han took time to truly reflect on Vivek's proposal.

This raised a question Han had never openly discussed:

What does he want to do after retirement?

Would he just sit back and enjoy life? Or would he remain deeply involved in basketball?

If it was the latter—there was only one logical path forward.

Ownership.

That had always been part of Han's long-term plan.

Despite his immense wealth from endorsements and contracts, buying an NBA team was an entirely different level of financial commitment.

Had he been able to buy in before the 2016 CBA deal? It would have been much easier, as team valuations hadn't exploded yet.

But now?

The only realistic way to own a franchise was to first gain a small stake in one and then sell it later for a larger purchase.

Yet, there was one problem:

NBA rules strictly forbid players from owning stakes in teams while still active.

That's why Vivek's offer was structured as a "post-retirement" deal.

Essentially, it was a handshake agreement—an unofficial promise that Han would receive his 10% stake after his playing days were over.

But handshake deals in business?

They meant nothing unless the other party followed through.

A perfect example?

Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards.

Jordan had bought a 5% stake in the Wizards after retiring. But when he made his comeback post-9/11, he was forced to sell those shares back to owner Abe Pollin, with a promise that he could buy them back after retirement.

What happened next?

The Wizards' valuation skyrocketed thanks to MJ's return, and when he retired for good, Pollin refused to sell the shares back.

Would Vivek do the same thing?

Han couldn't be sure.

On paper, his relationship with Anjali should make Vivek trustworthy.

But at a certain point, money trumps everything.

---

After thinking through every angle, Han moved forward with a second round of meetings on July 7th.

This time, only three teams remained: the Nets, Clippers, and Kings.

And unlike before, these weren't public meetings.

They were closed-door sessions with team owners only.

Han had his own counteroffer.

NBA rules prohibited active players—or their direct relatives—from owning team shares. This was to prevent salary cap manipulation, where a player could take less money in exchange for ownership stakes.

But loopholes existed.

NBA history was full of rule workarounds—from the "Big Z" loophole to poison pill contracts, teams always found ways to exploit the system before new rules were added.

And Han? He had already been planning a backdoor method.

He had long considered giving Chris Rondo a front-office role. And unlike players, team executives were allowed to own equity.

Which meant?

Han could simply buy 10% of a team's shares through Rondo instead.

A hidden agreement between them.

If Rondo ever exposed it, he'd be punished heavily by the NBA.

But between trusting Vivek's handshake deal and Rondo's loyalty?

Han would bet on Rondo every time.

So instead of waiting for a promised gifted stake, Han made it clear in these meetings:

He wanted to outright purchase 10% equity—with Rondo as his proxy.

Because once the money was in his hands?

Nobody could take it away.

---

Tsai was the first to withdraw.

As a cautious businessman and the first-ever Chinese owner in NBA history, he wasn't willing to take such a risk. If this scheme were ever exposed, everything he had built in the league would collapse instantly—something he simply could not afford.

But Ballmer and Vivek?

They agreed.

For Ballmer, the Clippers were just an expensive hobby—something he could enjoy however he wanted.

For Vivek, though Han's proposal was unexpected, his desire to see Han transform the Kings was very real.

After some thought, he gritted his teeth and added one final twist:

"I agree to your plan. And my original offer still stands."

Meaning?

Han would buy 10% of the team through Chris Rondo.

And if he won a championship and retired, Vivek would gift him an additional 10%.

A total of 20% ownership.

That number was insane.

Some teams had gifted small shares to franchise legends after retirement—like when Mark Cuban gave Dirk Nowitzki 1% of the Mavericks.

Han? He was getting twenty times that.

If the Kings' valuation grew to $5 billion in the future, Han's equity alone would be worth $1 billion.

And that wasn't unrealistic—before Han's rebirth, the Warriors had surpassed the Knicks, hitting an $8 billion valuation.

Vivek wasn't being reckless. He understood that Han's arrival could skyrocket Sacramento's worth.

Then, in a rare show of sincerity, he looked Han in the eye and said:

"No matter what decision you make, I appreciate everything you've done for the Kings."

He knew.

He knew Anjali's "suggestions" over the years had come from Han.

At first, Han was surprised.

But thinking about it, it made sense.

If your daughter—who previously had zero basketball knowledge—suddenly started giving spot-on team-building advice every year...

You wouldn't assume she magically became a basketball savant.

You'd assume someone was guiding her.

Vivek's offer was enticing.

But Han still preferred the Clippers.

Going to a major market had always been his goal.

And he knew that if he made the same proposal to Ballmer, Ballmer would agree instantly.

But just as Han was leaning towards L.A...

Something happened.

---

Los Angeles County Supervisor Antonio Villaraigosa made a public statement:

"If Han Sen signs with a Los Angeles team, we should impose a 25% tax."

It sounded insane at first.

But nothing happens in a vacuum.

The U.S. was knee-deep in trade wars, and Villaraigosa?

He was just another politician looking for a bigger stage.

If this was just empty political posturing, Han wouldn't have cared.

But then?

FOX Sports ran an online poll.

And a shocking number of Los Angeles residents actually supported it.

L.A. fans loved basketball.

But their ingrained hostility toward China ran even deeper.

Han could handle hate—he thrived on it, farming Hater Points at will.

But living in a city where that hostility was normal?

That was different.

Han made his final decision.

He called Vivek.

And when Vivek heard the answer?

His face turned red with excitement.

This was the first time Han had seen genuine emotion from him.

Vivek jumped up, shook Han's hand firmly, and said something that stuck with him:

"We're not just player and owner—we're partners."

And he wasn't wrong.

Once Han bought in, he'd be a silent co-owner of the Kings.

Every game he played.

Every dollar the team's valuation increased.

It all benefited him.

Because now?

He was playing for himself.

---

Because Han had delayed his decision, other major free agents had been stuck in limbo.

Like Paul George.

He had been torn between joining the Lakers or the Warriors.

But finally, the dominoes started to fall.

And then?

Han broke the NBA.

At 6:12 PM on July 8th, he sent out a simple tweet:

"I'm signing with the Sacramento Kings."

One sentence.

One earthquake.

Social media lost its mind.

@LegionHoops: HAN SEN TO SACRAMENTO. NOT A DRILL.

@WojESPN: Sources confirm: Han Sen has agreed to a deal with the Sacramento Kings. Stunning decision after weeks of speculation.

@NBA_Memes: Han Sen just pulled the greatest bait-and-switch since LeBron's first "Decision."

@LakersNation: THIS HAS TO BE A JOKE.

Lakers fans? Meltdown.

New York fans? Processing...

Warriors fans? Laughing their asses off.

And Kings fans?

They were acting like they'd just won the NBA lottery.

@SacramentoProud: HAN SEN IS ONE OF US NOW. I CAN DIE IN PEACE.

@KingsFan1998: Bro, I cried. I CRIED.

@Redeyes_Man: Han Sen really said "big market" and then went full small-market hero. Unreal.

This was like watching the underdog win the girl in a romance movie.

For decades, the Kings had been NBA purgatory.

Their last championship?

1951.

Back when they were still the Rochester Royals.

Aside from the Adelman-era Princeton Kings, they had been nothing but a dumpster fire.

Put it this way—

If the Timberwolves were struggling to claw their way back to relevance, then the Kings were a team long buried in obscurity, waiting for a miracle.

And now?

Han Sen just gave them life.

---

Political Twitter jumped in too.

@PoliticalHoops: This wasn't just about basketball. A certain L.A. politician made it clear Han wasn't welcome. And now, look where he ended up.

@FoxSportsNBA: Villaraigosa really said, "Sign here and we'll tax you extra." My guy just handed Sacramento a dynasty.

@TheAthleticNBA: You can't convince me that 25% "Han Tax" didn't push him out of L.A. No superstar has ever had to deal with this nonsense.

Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are publish𝒆d on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

@BillSimmons: L.A. had the easiest free agency pitch in NBA history. "Come here, win rings, and live in Hollywood." Instead, they made it about trade wars and politics. Unreal fumble.

@RealSkipBayless: The media will blame politics, but I don't buy it. Han was NEVER going to the Lakers. He just milked the attention. Classic bait-and-switch. #NotBuyingIt

Even Chinese media took notice.

@WeiboSports: "美国加税,韩森加冕! (America raises taxes, Han Sen takes the throne!)"

@HoopsCN: "L.A. disrespected Han. Sacramento embraced him."

This was LeBron's Decision all over again.

Han had just pulled off the ultimate bait-and-switch.

And the best part?

He farmed even more [Hater Points] than when LeBron left Cleveland.

---

Inside the NBA wasted no time breaking it all down.

Kenny Smith shook his head. "Man, I don't even know where to start with this one."

Shaq grinned. "Start with the part where everybody thought he was going to L.A. and got played."

The whole crew laughed.

Kenny nodded. "For weeks, all we heard was 'big market, big market, big market.' And then boom—Sacramento. I mean, be honest—who saw that coming?"

Chuck pointed a finger. "Nobody! But y'all should've known. Han always flips the script. Dude ain't never taken the easy road."

Shaq leaned forward. "Nah, the real story is why he didn't go to L.A."

The room went quiet for a second.

Barkley sighed. "Yep. Let's talk about that."

Kenny exhaled. "Look, it wasn't just basketball. It wasn't just the contract. We had actual politicians—actual government officials—basically telling Han he wasn't welcome in L.A."

Shaq scoffed. "Man, I've seen bad recruiting pitches before, but 'sign here and we'll tax you extra' has to be the dumbest of all time."

Chuck laughed. "That's like ordering food at a restaurant and they charge you extra just for showing up."

Kenny nodded. "Jokes aside, though—this was wild. A city like L.A.? A franchise like the Lakers? They should've been rolling out the red carpet for Han. Instead, they basically pushed him away."

Shaq shook his head. "And then folks wanna act surprised when he didn't sign there."

Chuck smirked. "Oh, I get it now. He wasn't choosing Sacramento—he was rejecting L.A."

The panel paused.

Because when you really thought about it?

That might've been exactly what happened.

Kenny Smith tapped the desk. "But alright, let's talk about that. Why Sacramento?"

"Unless they gave him ownership, I don't see why he'd go there," Kenny continued. "But come on—there's no way that happened."

Barkley smirked. "Maybe this is just what Han does. He takes teams that got no business winning and turns 'em into champions. He's the Dream Maker."

Memphis. Cleveland. Now Sacramento.

Each move had been progressively harder.

Kenny shook his head. "But what about all that talk about him wanting a big market?"

Shaq chuckled. "Did Han ever actually say that? Or did the media just make that up?"

The panel went quiet.

Because Han had never actually said he wanted a big market.

The only thing he ever said?

"Cleveland is no longer a challenge."

The entire "big market" angle?

Pure speculation.

And the irony?

Sacramento was the biggest challenge of them all.

Barkley leaned back. "Honestly, big markets don't mean what they used to. Han's bigger than the league. He don't need L.A. or New York to sell shoes. Hell, he could be hoopin' on the moon and still run the sneaker game."

For a moment, the panel sat in silence.

Then Shaq summed it up in the simplest way possible.

"Sacramento finally got their real King."