July 23rd, according to media professional Zhaotanzhang, many teams in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) are targeting the first pick of Shandong Men’s Basketball Team. Among them, Guangzhou Leopards is interested in using Zhu Mingzhen as a trade chip.
Zhaotanzhang’s original content reads:
Based on my inquiries, numerous teams have set their sights on Shandong Men’s Basketball Team’s first pick, including Guangzhou Leopards, who are offering Zhu Mingzhen as part of the deal.
In light of the current economic climate and Coach Guosheng’s assistance with the national team, along with core player Cui Yongxi’s pursuit of an NBA career, Guangzhou Leopards’ primary objective for the upcoming season is to empower young talents. As a result, most players whose contracts have expired or those with valuable contributions that are still under contract are highly likely to enter the market and leave the team.
For Shandong Men’s Basketball Team, there are numerous options available. Previously, I mentioned that how they utilize the first pick depends on their needs rather than being solely tied to selecting a specific player. If they are not satisfied with the players after tryouts, strengthening their squad through trades can be an effective strategy.
During the regular season last year, Zhu Mingzhen played in all 52 games, averaging 32.1 minutes per game with 10.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Two notable aspects are that he averaged two three-pointers per game with a shooting percentage of 40.2%. Additionally, he shifted to the power forward position during the season, which helped open up the court, a role that Shandong Men’s Basketball Team currently lacks among its domestic players.
Comparing Zhu Mingzhen’s three-point shooting percentage of 40.2% to Shandong’s highway team’s average of 34.2%, even when considering playing time, Zhu Mingzhen stands out. Among the players who logged more than 30 minutes in the previous season, Chen Peidong had the highest three-point shooting percentage at 35.5%, but his output was similar to Zhu Mingzhen’s, yet his accuracy was significantly lower.
It’s worth noting that Zhu Mingzhen also has several shortcomings, but these statistics demonstrate his value. How this potential trade unfolds will depend on negotiations between the two clubs involved.