TL;DR
- Evil Geniuses acquires former World Champion Bang from 100 Thieves for undisclosed fee
- 100 Thieves loses their star player and faces significant roster rebuilding challenges
- The move signals Evil Geniuses’ commitment to building a championship-caliber roster
- Matthew ‘Deftly’ Chen emerges as potential replacement in conditional trade scenario
- Both organizations undergo major structural changes with new leadership and vision

ESPN’s latest report confirms a major League of Legends roster shakeup as Bae “Bang” Jun-sik transitions from 100 Thieves to Evil Geniuses for the upcoming 2020 competitive season. This high-profile acquisition represents one of the most significant player movements in the current transfer window.
Evil Geniuses, the newest franchise in the LCS ecosystem, secured the services of the decorated AD carry through a substantial financial transaction. The exact transfer fee remains confidential, but industry analysts suggest it ranks among the largest buyouts in North American League history. Bang now joins an impressive lineup featuring recent acquisitions Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen and Tristan “Zeyzal” Stidam, both formerly of Cloud9.
The organization demonstrates clear championship ambitions with this aggressive roster construction strategy. Evil Geniuses’ five-year hiatus from professional League of Legends concludes with a statement signing that signals their serious intent to compete at the highest level. Svenskeren brings 2019 Summer MVP credentials while Bang contributes global popularity and championship experience. This financial commitment follows their significant investment in acquiring the LCS slot previously held by Echo Fox.
Strategic Implications of Losing a Franchise Player
100 Thieves faces a substantial competitive setback with the departure of what many considered their most talented League of Legends competitor. Bang joined the organization prior to the 2019 LCS Spring Split and quickly established himself as the foundational element of their competitive lineup.
Despite high expectations, the Korean import struggled to single-handedly elevate 100 Thieves to consistent victory. Frequent roster modifications created significant instability that hampered team cohesion and performance. The constant lineup changes prevented Bang from demonstrating his full potential within the 100 Thieves system.
The search for Bang’s successor remains ongoing with several potential candidates under consideration. According to insider sources, AD Carry Matthew “Deftly” Chen might transition from Evil Geniuses as part of a conditional exchange arrangement. Deftly originally moved to Evil Geniuses alongside Zeyzal and Svenskeren as part of the Cloud9 transaction.
This potential player swap would only materialize if 100 Thieves cannot secure a superior alternative for the vacant AD carry position. The organization undergoes comprehensive restructuring under new leadership, with former caster Christopher “PapaSmithy” Smith now directing competitive operations.
Evil Geniuses’ acquisition of Bang completes a crucial piece of their competitive puzzle, leaving only top and mid lane positions to finalize their starting lineup. The current free agent market offers abundant talent in these roles, positioning Evil Geniuses to potentially field what could be considered an all-star caliber roster for the 2020 Spring Split.
For Evil Geniuses, this move represents a calculated investment in established talent rather than developmental prospects. The organization appears focused on immediate competitive success rather than long-term player development, a strategy that carries both significant upside and considerable financial risk.
Meanwhile, 100 Thieves must navigate the challenging process of replacing a franchise player while simultaneously implementing structural changes under new management. The timing of these parallel transitions creates additional complexity for both organizations.
Industry experts suggest that successful roster building requires balancing star power with team synergy—a challenge both teams now face from different strategic positions. Understanding effective team composition strategies becomes crucial in such high-stakes environments.
The Bang transfer signals broader shifts within the North American League of Legends competitive ecosystem. As organizations increasingly compete for limited top-tier talent, player movement dynamics continue to evolve.
The 2020 LCS season promises heightened competition with multiple franchises making significant investments in their rosters. This increased competition should elevate the overall quality of play across the league while creating more compelling narratives for fans.
Successful navigation of these roster changes requires careful planning and strategic vision. Teams must consider not only individual player skill but also team chemistry, communication dynamics, and strategic fit within their overall game plan.
For organizations looking to build competitive success, our comprehensive strategic guide offers valuable insights into effective team building methodologies that extend beyond individual talent acquisition.
Action Checklist
- Analyze team composition needs before pursuing star players
- Evaluate both individual skill and team synergy in recruitment decisions
- Develop contingency plans for key player departures
- Monitor free agent market for strategic opportunities that complement existing roster
- Implement structured communication systems to maintain team cohesion during roster changes
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Evil Geniuses buys out Bang from 100 Thieves for 2020 LCS Analyzing Bang's transfer from 100 Thieves to Evil Geniuses and its impact on both LCS teams
