Although head coach Du Feng stated there were no regrets this season, Guangdong Hongyuan’s target has always been the championship. Missing the top four for two consecutive seasons suggests that neither Du Feng nor general manager Zhu Fangyu has fulfilled the expectations set by the club’s management.
With Guangdong Hongyuan eliminated from the playoffs, Wang Shaojie is confirmed to be leaving the team. His loan contract has expired and he will return to the Beijing Royal Fighters. Meanwhile, Du Feng’s own contract with Guangdong is also nearing its end. As for foreign players, due to changes in next season’s foreign player policy, Samner is likely to stay, but Quinn’s future remains highly uncertain.
Wang Shaojie was a key interior addition for Guangdong after Zhou Qi’s departure, originally signed on a two-year loan deal. Over the past two seasons, Wang showed improvement but failed to provide the significant boost the team needed. Zhu Fangyu and Du Feng had hoped that Jiao Boqiao would share the center minutes with Wang, but Jiao’s performance fell short, and Du Feng’s inability to effectively utilize him placed excessive defensive pressure on Wang during the playoffs.
With the loan now over, Wang will first rejoin the Beijing Royal Fighters. Guangdong Hongyuan is unlikely to extend the loan, as Wang’s output has been somewhat underwhelming, and the team may prefer to invest in a more impactful foreign center.
As for Du Feng, he finds himself under intense scrutiny. Following the elimination, his claim of having “no regrets” sparked controversy, given that Guangdong Hongyuan boasts 11 championship titles. This season, Du Feng has shown signs of tactical stagnation, relying on old plays without innovation. Moreover, his multiple off-court commitments have limited his ability to lead training sessions during the regular season, which has harmed the team’s performance.
Du Feng’s contract with Guangdong has been renewed on a year-by-year basis. Now that it is expiring, both parties have options. The key question is whether the club’s management will decide to make a change.
On the foreign player front, Samner’s injury had a significant impact. Quinn showed flashes of brilliance but remained inconsistent. With next season’s rule allowing three foreign players to be registered simultaneously, and with Wang Shaojie leaving and Jiao Boqiao potentially departing as well, the need for an interior foreign player becomes critical. While Samner is expected to stay, Quinn may not receive a new contract, as the team’s interior needs are more pressing this season.
Of course, Guangdong Hongyuan can hope that Cui Yongxi will further recover during the offseason. Otherwise, Zhu Fangyu’s major investment in the youngster could prove to be a wasted effort.
