Guangzhou team spent 12 million RMB to sign CBA top-salary player Guo Ailun, expecting him to be the team’s cornerstone. However, over the past two years, he has only appeared in 13 games, leaving fans frustrated.
In the 2024 three-way trade, Guangzhou secured Guo’s exclusive signing rights, offering a two-year top-salary contract and full commercial rights. In other words, the club spent 12 million RMB for his playing services, while Guo’s commercial earnings remain entirely his own.
The reality has been disappointing. Guo played 12 games last season and only 2 this season, and is currently sidelined due to a thigh injury with an uncertain return. Meanwhile, Zhu Mingzhen at Tongxi and Wang Lanqin at Liaoning have flourished, highlighting Guangzhou’s missed opportunity.
Fans joked: “The Guangzhou owner must be regretting this now!” “12 million RMB for just 13 games and gave up Zhu Mingzhen—what a loss!” This high-profile signing has yet to deliver, making Guangzhou arguably the biggest ‘loser’ in the CBA this season.
