TL;DR
- DragonX retains star ADC Deft as cornerstone player while releasing entire remaining roster
- New coach cvMax brings controversial but proven leadership style demanding full roster control
- Team aims to overcome quarterfinal curse that has plagued multiple international appearances
- Management conflicts and organizational issues identified as primary obstacles to past success
- Complete roster reconstruction expected to be finalized within coming days
DragonX has made a strategic commitment to Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu, securing his talents through contract renewal as the foundational element of their competitive rebuild. This move signals the organization’s recognition of Deft’s consistent performance and veteran leadership value.
The organization is executing a comprehensive roster reset, releasing all players except their star bottom laner. Deft’s reputation as an elite ADC (Attack Damage Carry) was cemented during his tenure with Edward Gaming in China’s LPL, where he demonstrated world-class mechanical skills and game sense. Throughout his LCK career, he has maintained formidable performance levels even when competing with suboptimal team compositions.
DragonX’s Strategic Foundation: Building Around Elite Talent
During the 2018 season, Deft achieved championship success with KT Rolster, capturing the summer title and entering the World Championship as a tournament favorite. Their quarterfinal elimination by eventual champions Invictus Gaming highlighted the fine margins at elite competitive levels.
Following his KT Rolster departure, Deft transitioned to Kingzone DragonX (now DragonX), forming an explosive partnership with support Park “TusiN” Jong-ik. Their aggressive laning style quickly established them among the league’s most feared bottom lane combinations. TusiN’s recent departure and potential LCS move creates both challenge and opportunity for roster reconstruction.
Despite achieving respectable competitive results, DragonX faced significant internal challenges that undermined their performance potential. Multiple reports indicate management disagreements with head coach Kang “Hirai” Dong-hoon precipitated his departure, creating a destabilizing environment for players. The situation worsened when management began premature discussions about impending roster changes during the active season.
These organizational issues directly influenced DragonX’s decision to pursue comprehensive changes, including the recent acquisition of former Griffin coach Kim “cvMax” Dae-ho. Known for his demanding leadership approach, cvMax publicly stated he would only join organizations guaranteeing complete roster control authority. While contract specifics remain confidential, indications suggest he secured the autonomy he required.
Since joining the LCK, DragonX has consistently positioned itself as a championship contender with multiple international tournament appearances. However, the team has repeatedly encountered quarterfinal eliminations at critical moments, including their 2017 World Championship exit as Longzhu Gaming against Samsung Galaxy.
The organization plans to announce its reconstructed roster composition within the immediate future, marking a pivotal moment in their competitive trajectory. This rebuild represents one of the most significant organizational transformations in recent LCK history, with implications for the entire league’s competitive landscape.
Action Checklist
- Monitor official DragonX announcements for new roster additions
- Analyze new player synergies with Deft’s playstyle during preseason matches
- Evaluate cvMax’s coaching impact through team macro decisions and draft strategies
- Track team performance metrics in early split games for improvement patterns
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