Zhejiang Men’s Basketball suffered a 0-2 series loss to Shenzhen in the quarterfinals, with final scores of 95-108 and 91-95. The two-game series exposed Zhejiang’s overall weakness compared to Shenzhen, both in domestic player depth and foreign player quality. Their three-point shooting, once a hallmark, dropped sharply: 35.1% in Game 1 and a meager 24.3% in Game 2. Fans were left wondering why former star guard Wu Qian barely saw the court—he was completely benched in Game 1 and played only five minutes in Game 2. The once-dominant guard now sits on the bench, a stark contrast to his earlier career. 
Wu Qian’s D-class max contract expires at the end of this season. His reduced role and playing time this season suggest he has been gradually replaced by younger guards like Cheng Shuai Peng and Li Yuezhou. After Zhejiang’s elimination, Wu Qian’s wife publicly criticized the coaching staff for lacking respect for her husband. She stated, “There’s no need to force me to reveal internal matters. I’ve been very restrained. If he plays poorly, fewer minutes are understandable, but completely leaving him out is ridiculous.” Wu Qian appears deeply disappointed with the team and is likely considering early retirement, as he sees little hope for a championship with Zhejiang. 
Wu Qian experienced a sharp decline in performance this season. In the regular season, he played 41 games, averaging 20.5 minutes, 6.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, with shooting percentages of 31.8% from the field and 29.4% from three—all career lows. In the playoffs, he appeared in only three games, averaging 11 minutes, 2.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1 assist, shooting 15.4% from the field and 18.2% from three, with just 4.3 attempts per game. For a shooter who needs significant touches, this is devastating. 
As a veteran and loyal player, Wu Qian has spent all 14 seasons of his career with Zhejiang. He led the team to multiple playoff appearances and even a finals berth. At his peak, he averaged 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, hitting 3.4 three-pointers per contest, making him one of the league’s most sought-after guards. However, this season he was marginalized, with playing time and touches severely reduced. The team has shifted focus to younger guards like Li Yuezhou, while Cheng Shuai Peng has emerged as the new star. Wu Qian’s presence on the team has diminished. Although he also serves as an assistant coach, his playoff minutes showed a lack of respect. For this veteran, early retirement might be the wisest choice.
