Bishop of the Devil

The Philadelphia 76ers' first-round pick this year was the 25th pick, which was not much better than the Trail Blazers. Even if there was an exchange, Kirilenko would not be available, so Richard simply did not contact the 76ers.

Richard came up and first contacted the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors have the 21st pick in the first round this year. If they can get it, at least Richard will be sure to get Kirilenko.

As for whether Kirilenko can immediately play for the Trail Blazers after getting it, Richard can only take it one step at a time.

But unfortunately, Adelman regretfully told Richard that they have a favorite candidate and may need the 21st pick, and they will not be able to use the Blazers' 29th pick in the first round.

Richard had no choice but to seek other trading targets...

If the Warriors want the 21st pick in the first round to be useful, Richard will not go to stalk Adelman.

No matter how good the relationship is, once the overall interests of the team are related, such matters must still be based on the interests of the team.

If you think about it from another perspective, if Richard had a high-ranking first-round pick and he happened to be able to use it, and Carlisle or Adelman came to trade with him, I'm afraid he wouldn't trade it out.

Of course, if it is not used, it is a matter of two opinions.

…

The Eagles, with the 20th pick, have two first-round picks this season. In addition to the 20th pick, they also have the 17th pick.

But the embarrassing thing is that the Hawks did not get any decent players in the first round with a very high probability of producing stars with these two first-round picks.

With a probability of 13 out of 29, the Hawks used two first-round picks to select two stinky tomatoes and rotten bird-egg players...

What bad luck!

In fact, the current Eagles head coach Wilkens is also quite miserable.

The position of their first-round picks is quite embarrassing. You may say the value is low, but it is actually not low, but the embarrassment is that during their trial training, they did not find any decent new players.

Since no reliable newcomer has been found, Wilkens naturally wants to trade up his first-round pick and try to get a first-round pick ranked among the top ten picks in the first round. In this case, they may be able to get Purdue's sixth pick. one……

This is a kind of guarantee. In the absence of a favorite rookie, choosing Purdue's sixth young master is undoubtedly a very safe choice!

But the embarrassing thing is that no one is willing to change the team with the top ten picks...

Even if Wilkens uses the two first-round picks they have on hand to exchange for a top-10 first-round pick, no one is willing to trade!

This makes Wilkens very uncomfortable...

He had a hunch that his two first-round picks would be wasted.

When Richard called Wilkens, Wilkens felt a glimmer of hope.

In fact, speaking of it, Wilkens and the Trail Blazers still have a close relationship.

When his playing career just ended, he coached the Trail Blazers...

It's just that he never won the championship, and later he returned to coach his home team, the Eagles.

"Li, congratulations, you have played a perfect season this season!" After congratulating Richard, Wilkens then started his performance...

"Lee, I heard the news. It seems that you want to trade the 29th overall first-round pick in your hands, right?" Wilkens asked.

"That's right, Lanny, how about it? Are you willing to exchange the Eagles' first-round pick? We can give cash compensation..." Richard said with a smile.

"The Blazers and I have a fairly old relationship. Li, you should know that I coached the Blazers for many years before, and I still have a lot of affection for the Blazers. When it comes to asking for money, I feel a little bit offended..."

When Richard heard this, he immediately felt happy. Judging from Wilkens's tone, there was probably something going on!

"Li, we are all smart people, so I won't mince words. Now our Eagles need a forward and defensive lineman who can defend well and has a certain three-point ability..."

Richard was startled. Good guy, if you dare to let Wilkens talk to him about friendship, that's all nonsense. This old guy is waiting for him here...

Richard was silent for a moment, not knowing how to respond to Wilkens.

"Li, let me get straight to the point..."

"First, I will take out our two first-round picks in exchange for Stephen Jackson on your team, and you can also keep your own first-round pick."

Wilkens is starting to negotiate terms...

It has to be said that the conditions put forward by Wilkens are not excessive. Two first-round picks are traded for a substitute player of the Trail Blazers. No matter how you look at it, it is quite profitable.

But Richard is not very cold about this...

The main reason is that the Hawks' two first-round picks were too low, and it was actually of no use to get them.

With the 17th and 20th picks, the two players Richard can select are James Posey and Kirilenko. As for the 29th pick he has in hand, it will definitely be completely useless...

In this way, Richard loses a martial artist Jackson in exchange for James Posey and Kirilenko, which seems to be no loss.

But if Kobe leaves, Wu Sheng may be reused by Richard next season and let him replace Kobe's starting point guard position.

Neither James Posey nor Kirilenko is qualified for this position.

"Go on and talk about other trading plans, old man, I can't agree to this plan!" Richard said with a wry smile.

"Okay, Lee, the second option is that we take out the 20th pick and then exchange the 29th pick in your hands, but you have to help us persuade Bowen to join the Hawks!"

Seeing that Richard was unwilling to trade Wu Sheng, Wilkens simply targeted Bowen...

Everyone knows that as long as Richard opens his mouth, Bowen will probably change his mind with the Spurs and join the Hawks...

"No, no, no, old man, I will never instruct my players to do something they don't want to do..."

"Now I roughly know what your eagles need!"

"How about this. I know that a rookie player meets your requirements very well. His style of play is similar to Bowen. If you are willing, I can tell you the name of this player, and then you can exchange it for us with the 20th overall pick. The 29th pick!"

Wilkens was immediately interested. If what Richard said was true, he would make a lot of money...

This is much more cost-effective than signing Bowen, after all, rookie contracts are very cheap!

"Oh? Is this player really similar to Bowen?" Wilkens asked.

"Yes, this player is almost a strong offensive and defensive version of Bowen. Although his defense is a little worse, he is still at the top level of the league!"

"And the offensive ability is much better than Bowen..."

Wilkens was overwhelmed with surprise, "Okay, Lee, I believe you, the deal is done!"

"James Posey!"

…

"Taking" James Posey, Richard finally got the 20th pick in the first round from the Hawks.

It made Richard laugh and cry. This time he traded the draft picks and did not pay a big price. He only provided the trading partner with a player's name.

I'm afraid this truly explains what "knowledge is power"...

When Richard was about to continue trading higher, the situation gave him a headache.

No one is willing to exchange first-round picks. Even the Cavaliers, who hold two first-round picks, have no intention of changing their picks.

They have a No. 8 pick and a No. 11 pick...

Richard is actually thinking about using another first-round pick, preferably around the top ten, and then taking advantage of the situation to get Artest as well.

But judging from the current situation, it is unlikely.

…

This matter can only be considered in the long term. It is unlikely that Artest will be selected directly in the draft, but we can think about it slowly after the start of the new season.