NBA: I am a master dealer

Chapter 418 Who is the Lakers’ heartthrob?
But what Xue Liancheng didn't know was.

There is actually another person in Kupchak's office on the other end of the phone.

The phone was on speakerphone, and the conversation between the two was naturally heard by that person.

And this person is none other than Jim Buss, the Lakers' current talk man.

That is, the son of old Bass.

When Kupchak hung up the phone, Jim Buss said coldly: "Xue Liancheng's tone is really quite serious. Is he teaching us how to run a team?"

Kupchak smiled awkwardly, "Jim, he is the future of the league, and it is normal for him to have some say."

Jim Bass: "Is it normal to threaten us?"

Obviously.

As the owner and helmsman of the team, he was unhappy to be overridden by a player.

Kupchak: "Yes, George is only 26 years old. He is at his peak age. In the future, with the two as the core, he will be very competitive. There is no need to cultivate anything else."

Thanks largely to the appeal of Los Angeles, celebrity shows are no joke.

Mainly, the Lakers also have a tradition of thinking about the abacus.

……

Jim Buss finally came to his senses, "Yes! Yes! Yes! According to Xue Liancheng's development trend, the Lakers will have extremely strong competitiveness in the next ten years. Maybe they can create another dynasty and keep him. It’s really the most important thing, even at all costs.”

Coupled with the fact that they are good at seizing opportunities and dare to stud, this is how the superstars of the Zijin Dynasty gathered.

After all, what the Lakers lack most are good defensive players, not offensive players.

James Johnson looks very fierce, but in fact he is quite fierce. He once practiced boxing, and he is still very good. He is not a showman, and he is definitely not a joke when he is called a boxing champion.

Jim Buss: "Then let's give up Russell and Ingram. In fact, it doesn't hurt to think about it. George is now an All-Star, good at both offense and defense, and it saves training time."

How can there be such a good thing in the world!

In just a few words, the two of them had already made plans.

Kupchak finally smiled and said, "Mr. Bass, you really have great wisdom."

This is a typical need to have both.

of course.

Xue Liancheng still recommended James Johnson to Kupchak.

When Xue Liancheng heard this, he secretly thought that it was true.

Kupchak finally responded. The Pacers' trade conditions were Russell + Ingram + Randle + 2 first-round picks.

So there is no problem at all in sacrificing them to please Xue Liancheng.

We not only want to achieve results, but also want to preserve the future of the team.

Besides, there don't seem to be many All-Star-level small forwards who are good at both offense and defense. It doesn't seem to make much sense to have functional players who are just good at offense.

Although Russell and Ingram are very physically gifted, they are still just newcomers after all. No matter how they grow wildly in the future, they will never reach the level of Xue Liancheng who leads the team to win consecutive championships.

Therefore, stabilizing Xue Liancheng and pleasing Xue Liancheng became their top priority.

However, the position of small forward is generally tight, and other teams may not be willing to let him go.

After hearing this, Jim Buss finally behaved and softened his tone, "Well... that's right. Only by making it to the playoffs again next season, and even reaching the Western Conference finals, can I achieve my goal, but... I think... To trade for George, it will definitely require a huge price. My requirement is to try to keep the newly selected Ingram and last year's rising star Russell. If possible, it is best to keep both."

In other words, George is more expensive.

After a pause, he continued: "Only by achieving results can we have a greater chance of winning and kicking Jenny and others out of the team's decision-making team."

How is this different from robbery?
The plan to get George might have failed.

Kupchak quickly smoothed things over: "Xue is not an ordinary player. He has shown great dominance within two years of entering the league. He has proven that he can lead the team to success, so what kind of players does he need? He is better than anyone else." We all know that, so he still has to be involved in free agent signings and trades.”

From the basketball emperor Chamberlain, to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to the most dominant center O'Neal, to the modern Gasol, their path to glory is actually a history of blood and tears of poaching.

Since George is impossible, he can only settle for the next best thing.

If it was last year, it should still be possible. After all, George had just returned from a broken leg at that time, and no one knew how George would eventually recover.

Kupchak obviously understands the essence of things better than the simple Jim Buss, "I don't think it's important. No matter how they develop, no matter how good their talents are, they can't grow to the level of Xue Liancheng. With Xue Liancheng, , we will have a broad future, and even have a new business card of the NBA, so retaining Xue Liancheng is the most critical thing and the most important thing."

Russell + Ingram is not finished yet, but Randall is still needed. Randall is not finished yet, and he actually needs two first-round picks.

After last season's verification, George is still the same George. He may lack some speed and explosive power, but he is still very strong. He has absolute influence on both offense and defense, and his average points per game have not decreased but increased.

Or to be more precise, there is a tradition of poaching.

three days later.

……

Now, they have once again acquired top superstar Xue Liancheng, and the rise of the Zijin Dynasty is inevitable.

Johnson is 206cm tall and weighs 108kg. He can be used in three or four situations and is quite strong on the defensive end.

As expected, the Pacers opened their mouths. This is not a transaction, this is robbery.

finally.

of course.

In fact, he has some strength on the offensive end and has a certain three-point ability, but his shooting is not stable.

Last season with the Raptors, he played 57 games and only played 16 minutes. He averaged 5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He was relatively versatile, shooting 47.5% from the field and only 30% from three-point range. %.

All in all, this is a relatively good role player, but not much better.

After all, James Johnson's talent is not very good, he does not have strong explosive power, his speed is not too fast, his wingspan is not outstanding, and his jumping is not at the level of a master.

It just looks mediocre in every aspect and gives people a very low-level impression.

but.

It is worth mentioning that according to historical trajectory, James Johnson will join the Heat next season, where he has achieved his worth.

Played in 72 games, his playing time increased to 27 minutes, averaging 12.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. His overall shooting percentage was 47.9%, his three-point shooting percentage also increased to 34%, and he averaged 1.1 three-pointers per game.

The number of offensive plays has obviously increased, and he also has a good defensive performance.

Overall, he should be able to take on important responsibilities at the small forward position.

One day later, Kupchak brought good news. It only took 2 years and 1000 million to win the player.

This is the end.

The Lakers finally have a reliable player at the small forward position.

But it's not enough.

If you need to get one more, it will be safer.

However, there are no reliable candidates in the free market, so the transaction can only be initiated. Furthermore, the Lakers' backline congestion problem has not been solved, and trading is the only way.

But Russell is now the darling of the Lakers management, and Kupchak is not willing to let go.

Xue Liancheng had no idea that he was the Lakers' heartthrob. In order to keep him, Jim Buss and Kupchak had already started a war of words with Aunt Jenny in the parliament.

Jenny: "Trading Russell, Ingram, Randle, and two first-round picks to exchange for Paul George, is he worth the price?"

Jim Bass: "He is the player Xue Liancheng asked for."

Jenny: “No matter who’s named, I’m here to discuss price with you.”

Kupchak: "No price is better than keeping Xue Liancheng. If we can't keep Xue Liancheng, then they will become worthless, so I think the transaction is feasible."

Jenny Buss: "I object."

Jim Bass: "I am the president and chairman of the team, and I have the right to be responsible for the team's major decisions. You are just a director, and you only have the right to propose."

Magic Johnson: "George is indeed tempting, but the price is too high. What is the difference between this and robbery? We cannot be manipulated. If we compromise, then other teams will not be able to make any future trade proposals." We will not be spoiled, we must pay attention to the impact, rather than blindly make concessions to please Xue Liancheng."

Kupchak was speechless for a moment: "..."

But Jim Buss doesn't care about this. He has been brainwashed by Kupchak and has recognized the importance of Xue Liancheng. "What impact is not important, what is important is to let Xue Liancheng stay, then in the next ten years, or even ten For five years, we have been the most competitive team, and we can even build a dynasty, and that is the most important thing."

this time.

It was Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson's turn to be silent.

Unexpectedly, Kupchak sided with Aunt Jenny at this time, "We really need to pay attention to the impact. If we compromise, this trading standard will be formed in the future, which will be very detrimental to our future development."

But he changed the topic again, "But as Mr. Bass said, the importance of Xue Liancheng is self-evident. If we lose Xue Liancheng, it will be the most significant loss in the history of the team, so what I mean is, Let’s grind it out with the Pacers first. If they make concessions, we will trade immediately. If they refuse to make concessions, we will have no choice but to compromise before the new season.”

This proposal was finally approved by everyone.

Bargain first to see how much you can get. If you have no choice but to break your teeth and swallow it, choose a deal.

After the resolution is passed.

Kupchak returned to the office and immediately called Bird again.

soon.

The call was connected.

Kupchak: "Mr. Bird, what do you think about my proposal?"

Bird replied calmly: "I have already said the chips I want, now you just have to say yes or no."

Kupchak: "Russell and Ingram, the former was last year's No. 2 pick, and the latter is this year's No. 2 pick. Their physical talents are obvious to everyone. There is no doubt that they will definitely be All-Stars in the future, and may even grow into Superstar, they exchange George, which is my greatest sincerity."

Bird: "Then it seems you need to think about it again."

Obviously.

Bird has taken over the Lakers' eagerness for success.

But Kupchak is not a vegetarian. "I really need to think about it. I doubt Mr. Bird's sincerity."

He is still good at psychological warfare.

But Bird was not fooled: "Then let's take a look."

There didn't seem to be any rush.

Kupchak hung up the phone with a dark face. He thought for a long time with a deep brow, and then picked up the phone again.

soon.

The phone was connected again, and a deep voice came from the other end, "Ha! I didn't expect you to call me. Why, who do you like in my team?"

Kupchak took his time and said, "Leonard."

That's right.

The person making the call this time was Popovich.

Popovich burst out laughing, "What? Do you want to trade it with Xue Liancheng?"

Kupchak: "Don't make that joke."

Popovich: "You joked with me first."

Kupchak, "I'm serious."

Popovich: "This kid Leonard is not for sale to us. This is a fact that everyone knows. There is no reason that a smart person like you wouldn't know it."

Kupchak: "There is nothing that cannot be sold. It mainly depends on whether the price is right. Why don't you listen first?"

Popovich: "Huh..."

Kupchak didn't care whether the other party was sneering or not, and quickly quoted: "Ingram + Russell + Lou Williams, these two top rising stars plus a super sixth man, I think they should be worth a top All-Star." ?”

Popovich: "You can really joke with me, you're really boring."

Done.

Just hang up the phone.

But Kupchak wasn't annoyed either. He dialed another number and said, "Hey! Let me know some news. I'll offer Ingram + Russell + Lou Williams for Leonard from the Spurs and Leonard from the Pacers." Paul George."

On the other end of the phone: "No problem, I guarantee it will be a hot search."

soon.

The two rumors were trending on Twitter.

And Kupchak was not idle, and personally called Paul George: "George, where are you on vacation now?"

George: "Hawaii."

Kupchak: "This is a good place. Have you read the news on the Internet? Are you interested in coming to Los Angeles? To be honest, your talent should not be limited to Indiana."

George frowned and thought for a moment, "Are you kidding me?"

Kupchak: "I have negotiated with Mr. Bird. He wants Ingram + Russell + Randle + two first-round picks."

Hear this.

George's silence was deafening.

Obviously.

He was very, very uncomfortable with being put on the negotiating table.

George: "I like the Lakers very much, but I think now is not the time. I love the city of Indiana and I want to contribute to this city. Let's do this first."

Kupchak: "Don't refuse in a hurry. You can think about it. Really, think about it clearly and we can talk in detail."

George didn't say anything and hung up the phone.

(End of this chapter)