Goodbye, Zhou Qi! First Major Offseason Trade Shakes Up CBA Championship Contenders

In a groundbreaking move, the Shenzhen Leopards have traded their two-star players, Shen Zijie (a two-time Defensive Player of the Year) and Jared Sullinger (a two-time Best International Player), to the Beijing Royal Fighters. This trade is arguably the most shocking development in Chinese basketball this year and has the potential to dramatically alter the CBA championship landscape for the upcoming season.

Details about what Shenzhen received in return from Beijing are still unknown. However, with Beijing acquiring two dominant frontcourt players, they will likely need to clear some space by offloading existing big men to avoid redundancy. Rumors suggest that Zou Yuchen, whose contract expired this summer, may be moving to Shenzhen. There's also speculation that Zou might leave the CBA altogether to join an overseas league, with some NBL teams reportedly in serious talks with him.

As for Chen Guohao, it seems unlikely that he was part of this trade. Despite his high value, his versatility in playing both the 4 and 5 positions and his youth make him too valuable for Beijing to part with.

Another significant implication of Beijing's acquisition of Shen and Sullinger is their decision to forgo pursuing Zhou Qi. Over the past couple of years, Beijing was frequently rumored to be Zhou's next destination, primarily due to the city's international appeal. Zhou has always preferred playing for teams located in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou.

With Beijing now out of the race, the pressure on the Guangdong Southern Tigers to re-sign Zhou has eased considerably. Currently, Zhou's options are limited to Guangdong and Beijing Shougang, as the Shanghai Sharks are likely restricted from signing domestic players due to penalties from last season's "negative game" scandal. Consequently, the Sharks, usually known for their aggressive and high-spending recruitment, have been uncharacteristically quiet this offseason. Moreover, with Wang Zhelin already anchoring their frontcourt, Shanghai has little need to pursue Zhou Qi.

Given these circumstances, it seems almost certain that Zhou will re-sign with Guangdong. Throughout the offseason, there have been no reports of Zhou meeting with teams other than Guangdong, reflecting his loyalty to the team. Last season demonstrated that Guangdong is a different team with and without Zhou. Without him, their championship hopes diminish significantly. Therefore, Guangdong is likely to do whatever it takes to ensure Zhou stays, offering him the highest level of commitment and resources to keep him content.

This offseason's first major trade, sending Shen Zijie and Jared Sullinger to Beijing, has already caused ripples across the CBA. While Shenzhen's return package remains a mystery, the implications of this trade are far-reaching. Beijing now boasts a formidable frontcourt, positioning them as serious contenders for the CBA championship. This acquisition also marks the end of their pursuit of Zhou Qi, narrowing Zhou's choices and making Guangdong the frontrunner for his services.

As the CBA prepares for the upcoming season, the effects of this trade will be closely watched. The balance of power within the league has shifted, and teams will need to adjust their strategies accordingly. With Zhou Qi likely to remain in Guangdong, the team will aim to leverage his presence to reclaim their status as championship contenders. Meanwhile, Beijing's new acquisitions signal their intent to challenge for the title, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable season.