The third game of the CBA playoff quarterfinal series between the Guangdong Southern Tigers and the Beijing Shougang Ducks was intensely contested. In a pivotal matchup at Beijing’s home court, the Ducks, led by Zhou Qi, Zeng Fanbo, and Chen Yingjun, dominated with an 88-73 victory, advancing to the semifinals with a 2-1 series win. After a strong first quarter, Guangdong struggled for the remainder of the game, ending their championship-contending season on a disappointing note.
After the game, Guangdong head coach Du Feng expressed satisfaction with the team’s season performance, indicating he has no intention of stepping down during the offseason. The team is also not expected to replace him. If Du Feng stays, a major roster overhaul is necessary for the team to return to title contention. Despite a significant investment last summer and a roster featuring national team players like Cui Yongxi, Jiao Boqiao, Hu Mingxuan, Du Runwang, and Xu Jie, the team’s performance fell short of expectations. Consequently, Guangdong plans to strengthen both its domestic lineup and foreign player combinations in the upcoming offseason.
Among the potential departures, point guard Xu Jie has become a focal point of trade speculation. As the team’s star guard and All-Star vote leader, Xu was largely ineffective against Beijing, contributing to concerns about his ability to perform in high-stakes games. Many argue that Xu struggles against elite guards like Chen Yingjun, Zhao Rui, and Sun Minghui. With his contract expiring next year, general manager Zhu Fangyu might consider trading Xu to acquire a top-tier forward or center, especially with the team aiming to retain key players like Hu Mingxuan and Cui Yongxi.
Additionally, several players with expiring contracts are likely to be cut, including Huang Mingyi, Zhang Wenyi, Li Wenhao, Du Runwang, and Li Yingbo. While Huang’s potential might attract other teams, Du Runwang might be better suited for a team with lower championship expectations. The remaining players are expected to be released. Without a strong championship push, Guangdong’s priority is to develop young talents like Chen Jiazheng and Wang Hongze to fill the gaps on the wings. As for Wang Shaojie, even if he is bought out, he would likely serve as the second-string center.
To contend for the CBA title again, Du Feng must bolster the interior and wing depth this offseason, relying on Zhu Fangyu to bring in stronger reinforcements. Du Feng’s retention signals that the team will not undergo a complete rebuild, but a significant roster shakeup is inevitable.