Wang Zhelin is a Chinese basketball player who was drafted by the Grizzlies in the 2016 NBA Draft but never made a presence in the NBA. Recently, his signing rights were traded by the Lakers to the Knicks, and this is the second time he has been traded for three different teams.
Wang Zhelin is a Chinese basketball player who currently plays for the Shanghai men's basketball team. He is 2.14 meters tall, plays as a center forward, and has excellent physical fitness and technical ability. He used to be a regular player of the Chinese men's basketball team, participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2019 World Cup.
However, Wang Zhelin has never appeared on the biggest stage in international basketball, the NBA. Although he was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 57th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, he did not sign with the Grizzlies, opting instead to stay and play in the CBA.
Why didn't Wang Zhelin go to the NBA? At the time, he said in an interview that he did not know that he was selected and did not participate in the draft. He said he was preparing for the new season for the Shanghai men's basketball team and didn't think about the past NBA. He also said that he is confident in his strength, but also knows that he still has a lot to be desired and needs to continue to improve.
Wang Zhelin's humility is commendable, but it also reflects his lack of deep understanding of the NBA. In fact, Wang Zhelin was able to participate in the 2016 NBA Draft not because he voluntarily signed up, but because the NBA has a rule that all players who turn 22 that year (regardless of nationality) are considered to be automatically selected. This means that, in addition to the 60 players whose names were called on stage, thousands of players (including you and me) were undrafted that year.
So, why did the Grizzlies choose Zhelin Wang? It may have something to do with the Grizzlies' then-general manager Chris Wallace. Wallace was an adventurous man who selected Spanish center Marc Gasol with the 48th pick in the 2008 draft. At that time, Marc Gasol had not yet come to play in the United States, but was given to the Grizzlies by the Lakers as a signing right for Gasol's younger brother. Wallace saw Mark Gasol's potential and successfully groomed him to become an All-Star and championship winner.
Perhaps Wallace hopes to pick up a treasure again, and in the 2016 draft, he selected Wang Zhelin with the 57th pick. He may think that Wang Zhelin has physical conditions and technical characteristics similar to Marc Gasol, and has great potential in the Chinese market. However, Wang Zhelin did not adapt quickly to the pace and competition of the NBA like Mark Gasol. He has remained in the CBA, signed with the Grizzlies, and has not played in summer league or training camp. His signing rights were just put aside by the Grizzlies, waiting for the right moment.
The time has finally come on September 11, 2021. That day, the Grizzlies and Lakers reached a deal, and the Grizzlies gave Mark Gasol and Wang Zhelin signing rights in exchange for Gasol Jr., a 2024 second-round pick and cash. The main purpose of the deal was to deal with the contract issues of the Gasol brothers. Marc Gasol wants to return to playing in Europe, while Gasol Jr. wants to return to his old club, the Grizzlies. Wang Zhelin's signing rights were only traded as an add-on and did not attract much attention.
However, Wang Zhelin's signing rights did not stay with the Lakers for long. On January 4, 2022, the Lakers, Cavaliers and Knicks reached a three-way deal, and the Lakers gave Wang Zhelin the signing rights and Rajon Rondo in exchange for Terrence Davis and cash. The main purpose of the deal was to deal with Rondo's contract issues. Rondo couldn't play with the Lakers and wanted to seek opportunities with other teams. Wang Zhelin's signing rights were once again traded as a bargaining chip, this time for a more famous team, the New York Knicks.
In this way, Wang Zhelin became a peculiar existence: he never landed in the NBA, but was traded twice and switched to three different teams. And all three teams are NBA superteams, with numerous fans and championship honors. If Wang Zhelin does come to play in the NBA, he may become a popular player and even have a chance to win a championship ring.
However, the reality is harsh. Wang Zhelin is 28 years old, and he has not shown an impressive level in the CBA. He is averaging just 12.8 points and 6.7 rebounds this season, nowhere near the glory days he once had with the national team and the Shanghai men's basketball team. He also didn't show a strong desire or confidence in the NBA, and he even teased himself on social media about being traded.
Perhaps for Wang, the NBA is just a distant dream, not a real goal. He may have been content to play in the CBA, enjoying his familiar and comfortable environment.
But in this way, he lost the opportunity to challenge himself and prove himself. He can only watch as his signing rights are traded as items and played by the super team. What kind of feeling does this feel for Wang Zhelin? Is it helplessness, is it indifferent, or does it not matter? We don't know, but what we can be sure of is that this is not the dignity and glory that a basketball player should have.
Therefore, we suggested that Wang Zhelin announce his retirement and end his professional basketball career. In this way, he can get out of the dilemma of being traded, and he can also give himself a perfect curtain call.