Chapter 404: Small Forward.
By early October, the Kings' training camp had officially concluded, signaling the arrival of Media Day.
Although camp had its share of minor incidents, the atmosphere on Media Day was nothing but excitement.
The players' interviews revealed as much.
"This is the most media attention I've seen since coming to Sacramento." Cauley-Stein's enthusiasm was genuine.
His agreement with Lue had been a compromise—one he had to make. Han Sen's no-nonsense approach had made it clear: if he didn't start following the coaching staff's instructions, he was getting traded.
And going to a new team in a contract year? That was a disaster waiting to happen.
But now, standing in front of more reporters than he had ever seen in Sacramento, he could feel it.
The team was changing.
Staying here wasn't just the safest option—it was the best one.
Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell had a different response.
When a reporter brought up last season's Rookie of the Year results, calling his loss to Ben Simmons unfair, his emotions were complicated.