Following Guangdong’s elimination from the CBA playoffs, the team faces contract decisions on five players whose deals have expired. Among them, young prospects Huang Mingyi and Li Wenhao, both on A1-class contracts, are expected to remain with the club. Li Wenhao previously showed flashes of potential as a surprise contributor but failed to earn consistent minutes under head coach Du Feng, though the organization is likely to retain him for depth.
Huang Mingyi, despite limited playing time this season, possesses intriguing physical tools that give him a solid foundation. Even if Coach Du hasn’t fully utilized him, the scarcity of standout talents in the youth system makes his departure unlikely, and he should continue developing with the team.
Among B-class contracts, Du Runwang is virtually guaranteed to stay, as Du Feng has consistently favored him. However, fans remain frustrated with his inconsistent offense and defensive liabilities, making his retention a contentious topic. Li Yingbo, on the other hand, has transitioned into a coaching role this season, and the team is expected to let his playing contract expire so he can focus on learning the trade.
The C-class contract belongs to Zhang Wenyi, whose performance this season has been underwhelming. With little stability on offense and minimal defensive impact, he has only shined in summer scrimmages. Coach Du could realistically let him go to avoid wasting resources.
Beyond these five, Wang Shaojie’s loan deal has also concluded. The Guangdong front office now must decide whether to negotiate a buyout, weighing the team’s need for interior help against the cost. The club’s big-man development pipeline has been strained, especially after Xu Xin’s departure, even forcing Cui Yongxi to slide up to power forward at times.
