On May 11, Beijing time, Guangdong Hongyuan is set to face Beijing in a do-or-die Game 2 of the quarterfinals. A win sends them through, while a loss ends their season. Notably, Hongyuan legend Li Chunjiang returned to the home arena during Game 2, chatting with team owner Chen, general manager Zhu Fangyu, and other familiar faces. Sources suggest Li could officially rejoin Hongyuan next season as an advisor, similar to his role with Shanxi previously.
Li Chunjiang is widely regarded as the “godfather” of Guangdong Hongyuan. Both as a player and head coach, he led the team to remarkable success, winning eight of the club’s 11 CBA championships. After parting ways with Shanxi this year, Li has settled in Dongguan, managing his own social media accounts and frequently visiting the home arena. He has also maintained close ties with Zhu Fangyu, often dining together. His potential return as an advisor would be a boost for head coach Du Feng, who values his mentor’s guidance. However, Li replacing Du Feng as head coach seems unlikely given his ongoing suspension and Du’s secure position.
Xu Xin has had a breakout season, earning an All-Star selection, becoming the domestic blocks leader, and setting career highs in personal stats while leading the team to the playoffs. After the season, he received a national team call-up and has already reported to Beijing. He recently signed a sponsorship deal with a top sportswear brand, boosting his commercial value. Other CBA stars like Guo Ailun and Yi Jianlian have also been associated with this brand, signaling the company’s belief in Xu’s potential.
Following Samnah’s injury, Quinn has stepped up as Guangdong’s go-to import. In Game 2, he delivered a stellar performance with 39 points and a near triple-double, becoming only the fourth player in team history to achieve 35+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a single game (joining Parker, MarShon Brooks, and Sonny Weems). Fans widely agree that Quinn is the most deserving of a priority re-signing this offseason. With the CBA set to allow a maximum of three imports per team next season, retaining Quinn would be a wise move for Guangdong.
