Editors note: This story has been updated at 1 p.m. EST to include that DWG are looking for back up top lane options.
DWG KIA are closing in on bringing back the topside trio that won them the Summoner’s Cup in 2020, multiple sources told Upcomer on Thursday.
Heo “ShowMaker” Su and Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu both took meetings with several teams that could have split them apart or brought them together on a new team. Sources also tell Upcomer that DWG KIA has been steadfast in their willingness to spend this offseason rebuilding a Cup-winning team, offering both ShowMaker and Canyon multi-million per year deals to stay with the franchise.
For Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon, he has been one of the hottest commodities in the free agency market since reaffirming his desire to return to play in his home country following a year-long stint in China with FunPlus Phoenix. As with ShowMaker and Canyon, Nuguri had several meetings and suitors willing to sign him, but at the moment, it appears that his goal is to return to his old franchise to play alongside the jungle and mid partnership that helped him win a world title in 2020.
UPDATE: Nuguri’s reunion with the team is not finalized, however, as the team has been reaching out to possible back up options within the League of Legends Champions Korea according to sources close to Upcomer.
Update: What appeared to be a reunion 24 hours ago has become less clear. DWG has begun reaching out for backup top lane options, including possible transfers of current LCK top laners, sources tell me.
— The Esports Writer (@FionnOnFire) November 19, 2021
DWG KIA are coming off a second-place finish at Worlds 2021. ShowMaker and Canyon were a part of the team that lost 3-2 to Edward Gaming in the grand final. As for Nuguri, he played for FPX at Worlds 2021, falling out in the group stage in dramatic fashion. The last time the trio played together was at the 2020 world championship, where they hoisted the Summoner’s Cup at Pudong Stadium in Shanghai, China.
