Rumors have been swirling around Liaoning Shenyang Sanxi basketball team, with some even suggesting that head coach Yang Ming and star point guard Zhao Jiwei could both move to the Beijing Royal Fighters. It sounds intriguing on the surface, but is there any real chance that Liaoning would actually do this?
Last offseason, there were indeed reports that Zhao Jiwei had attracted interest from teams like Shanghai, Beijing Royal Fighters, and Beijing Ducks. However, not only did he stay with Liaoning, but the club also handed him a four-year maximum-salary contract. The message was clear: they wanted Zhao Jiwei to follow in the footsteps of Yang Ming, Han Dejun, and Li Xiaoxu, becoming a lifelong player for one team.
This season hasn’t gone well for Liaoning, so it’s understandable that Zhao Jiwei might have some doubts. But would he really leave? The chances are extremely slim. First, the decision isn’t entirely in his hands—Liaoning holds the power. And with Yang Ming having stepped down as coach, trading away the team’s only remaining core player would leave the squad without a leader next season. So the likelihood of Zhao Jiwei departing is almost zero.
As for Yang Ming, he is almost certain to return to coaching next season. Where will he go? Returning to Liaoning is a real possibility, but only if the team upgrades its roster and becomes competitive again. Yang Ming is a championship-winning coach who values results. If Liaoning makes significant moves in the offseason—like bringing in top foreign players—he would likely choose to come back to his home team. He has repeatedly expressed his deep emotional attachment to Liaoning, saying he will always support them.
The logic is simple: rather than worrying about Liaoning from afar, Yang Ming would prefer to lead the team directly. But the key condition is that the roster must be strong enough. This season, he had too few reliable players, making his job nearly impossible. A great coach needs great players; otherwise, even the best tactics won’t work.
In conclusion, the idea of Yang Ming and Zhao Jiwei joining the Beijing Royal Fighters together is more fantasy than reality. Liaoning is unlikely to let Zhao go, and Yang Ming’s return depends on the team’s commitment to rebuilding.