JKL and 369 are reported to be taking a break next season.

There have been numerous insider leaks about the LPL lately, including TES’s decision to throw next year. At present, jungler Kanavi, coach Hongmi, and mid laner Xiaonaiyou may not remain on the roster next season. Additionally, top laner 369 and AD carry JKL will rest for a period, with JKL specifically requiring recovery due to tinnitus. Most sources say JKL won’t play in the first split because of minimal points, but if his tinnitus improves, he will start matches and help train rookies.

369’s transfer situation is more unusual. Many insiders reveal that 369 might not sign with TES again and doesn’t want to enter the player auction pool, so he will be suspended by the LPL for two splits. This decision has been praised by many LPL fans, since if 369 re-signs with TES, he would have to lead rookies, and poor results could lower his value. (Player value is closely tied to team performance nowadays, so after the suspension, 369 can join a suitable team and better pursue his interests.)

T1 refuses to pay the fine.

T1’s “Little Lü Bu” earned the title of the world’s strongest AD with his outstanding performance in the S15 finals. Many LOL fans believe that as long as Little Lü Bu stays with T1, he will eventually become Faker’s successor. However, recent leaks reveal that JDG’s AD player Pezy will join T1, which left many T1 fans speechless. Surely, if T1 management were wise, they wouldn’t give up on Little Lü Bu in favor of Pezy. Yet surprisingly, Little Lü Bu has actually left T1 recently.

After T1 announced their farewell to Little Lü Bu, many fans wondered why management made this decision, especially since Little Lü Bu just won the World Championship FMVP. Several insiders revealed that T1 management refused to pay the hefty “player luxury tax” for him. The LCK has clear transfer rules: teams have fixed budgets for players, and exceeding the limit incurs taxes. Since contracts for mid laner Faker, jungler Oner, and support K are still valid, T1 won’t spend extra to renew unless Little Lü Bu voluntarily lowers his salary demands.

Fans collectively popped champagne to celebrate.

After the cold approach by T1 management was exposed, many fans criticized them harshly. Numerous Little Lü Bu supporters felt his departure was justified, given T1’s lack of empathy and unworthiness of his loyalty. This year, Little Lü Bu even took a pay cut to renew, but T1 treated him poorly, benching him. Some T1 fans also disliked him, blaming him whenever the team lost.

Many viewers are curious how cheap former JDG AD player Pezy must be for T1 to let go of Little Lü Bu without hesitation. Recently, insiders revealed that Pezy was eager to leave the LPL and agreed to join T1 for an annual salary of 3 million. Furthermore, Pezy agreed to rotate with T1’s academy players. (It’s clear JDG hurt Pezy badly; he’d rather sign for a low salary at T1 than play another year professionally at JDG.)

Conclusion.

Do you think Little Lü Bu leaving T1 is good news for the LPL? If Faker leads Doran and Pezy to win the championship again, I feel the LPL matches will be completely doomed. Faker’s dominance is really bad for other regions since the World Championship storyline repeats every year: T1 barely qualifies, then steamrolls through playoffs to claim the title.