Bishop of the Devil

What Richard didn't expect was that after Doc Rivers made the call, several more coaches called.

Lawrence Frank called. He was fired by the Nets management and asked if he could find a job with Richard.

Richard naturally agreed without saying a word. Frank had good abilities and was a young head coach at the level of Stevens. With such a talent coming to pitch, Richard had no reason not to agree.

Several other coaches called just to get close to each other and wanted to take advantage of Richard...

Among them was McMillan, the new head coach of the Trail Blazers. His call was certainly not directed by Paul Allen.

If Paul Allen wanted to, he wouldn't have to ask McMillan to make the call, he could just call Richard directly.

McMillan's call was of course in vain...

The main reason is that this year is a weak year for the draft. There is only one big player in the second round: Millsap. In the first round, there are only five players who can be called All-Stars, namely Aldridge, Roy, Gay, and Rondo. and Lowry.

With these five people, the Trail Blazers got one Aldridge, and Richard got two, which is more than half of them...

The Blazers have the bearded Davis, and they definitely don't need Lowry. As for Gay, the pick is too high, and the Blazers can't get it.

…

Bucks head coach Stotts also called Richard. There is still an unfulfilled contract between them and Richard.

In the previous transaction, Richard got a first-round pick from the Bucks with a two-year protection period. This year's Bucks' draft pick has been protected. No matter what their pick is next year, they will definitely use this draft pick. The power is given to Richard.

Richard naturally hopes that the Bucks' record will get better and worse, so how can he help them in this year's draft...

Several head coaches called to take advantage of him, but Richard didn't reply, so he politely rejected their requests.

However, there was one person's request that Richard couldn't refuse.

Popovich.

The Spurs were defeated by the Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals this season, and Popovich is preparing to continue to expand the lineup to prevent the same mistake next year.

Richard was in a bit of a dilemma. First, there were really no good players to recommend to Popovich, and second, he didn't want to create a more powerful enemy for himself.

Next season the Pirates will start to go all out to win the championship. Under normal circumstances, the Spurs will win the championship again next season. They helped James shave his head in the finals.

This bald head became uncontrollable as soon as it was shaved. James' head was shaved again in the finals...

In the 21st century, since James entered the league, there have been only two situations where his head was shaved in the finals in the past twenty years. In the end, it was James both times...

The 4:1 score in the finals happened five times in total, and three of them were related to James.

This is quite embarrassing...

And now James may not even have the chance to have his head shaved, because with the current situation in the Eastern Conference, James has no chance of entering the Finals, and even the chance of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals is slim.

The Spurs are already strong enough. If the Spurs continue to be strong, it will add huge obstacles to the Pirates' championship next year.

However, Richard still wants to reach a deal with Popovich through this year's draft.

This is also what Richard has been thinking about...

"Greg, I know what you mean, but I'm sorry to tell you that this draft is a young year and there aren't many good players." Richard told Popovich regretfully.

He didn't lie.

According to the Spurs' record, they were supposed to have the 29th pick in the first round and the 29th pick in the second round.

But they had sold this first-round pick before, leaving them with only the embarrassing 29th pick in the second round...

Even if Richard were a god, it would be impossible for the Spurs to select any decent newcomers.

If it were left to the 2005 draft, Richard could have asked Popovich to choose undrafted Chuck Hayes...

"Li, I don't have too high requirements, I just need a qualified substitute."

"I think from your perspective, even if you don't use draft picks, this matter is extremely simple for you."

"Aren't there any decent undrafted players this year?" Popovich asked patiently.

Richard smiled bitterly, there really is...

However, this player is quite miserable. He was reimbursed before the completion of his rookie season.

His strength is pretty good, and he was selected to the All-Rookie First Team as an undrafted player, which is an incredible achievement.

And he is also a Spanish national player, so I think Popovich will like him very much.

"Greg, I have a candidate here. His strength is at the level of a rookie first team, and he is also an undrafted player. You can easily get it." Richard told the general situation of this player.

Of course, you can't go into too much detail. If you say Spanish nationality, Popovich will probably know who it is after a little inquiry.

Upon hearing Richard's description, Popovich suddenly became very interested.

Rookie first team, that is one of the five best players among the rookies, and he is also an undrafted player. This value is too great.

If the Spurs get this player, they will definitely spend a small amount of money to do big things. This is Popovich's favorite thing.

"Li, tell me who this player is, and I will thank you very much." Popovich suppressed his excitement and said calmly to Richard.

"Don't worry, Greg, my old man, I need your help with something." Richard put forward his conditions in a timely manner.

Popovich did do himself a small favor when he was in the All-Stars, but this small favor is not worth the value of a rookie first-team player.

That was a player on the first team of rookies, one of the five strongest players in that draft...

Well, there are actually six players in this rookie first team, to be precise, they are one of the strongest six.

"Let's talk, Li, if it's not too difficult, I will agree." Popovich said calmly.

Richard cleared his throat, "This request is not difficult. For you Spurs, it couldn't be easier."

"I hope you can buy out Brent Barry's contract."

Popovich was startled, what kind of request was this? Ask the Spurs to buy out player contracts? Could it be that Brent Barry didn't want to stay with the Spurs and specifically asked Richard to speak?

It seems unlikely. Brent Barry is still quite happy in the Spurs. As the Spurs won the championship before, the relationship with his teammates was quite harmonious. From time to time, he invited his teammates to his home for dinner.

"You Buccaneers want to sign Brent?" Popovich asked.

"Yes, this way you Spurs don't have to pay the buyout fee." Richard said with a smile.

Popovich nodded. Barry's contract is not high, and this is the last year. It won't cost much to buy it out.

If the Pirates sign Barry Jr., they may not have to spend a penny.

Barry Jr. has become Barry Sr. At the age of 36, he basically doesn't have much playing time with the Spurs.

Since Richard made such a request, the Spurs had nothing to lose, and it seemed that agreeing would be no big deal.

"I can promise you, Li, but can I ask why?" Popovich asked curiously.

Richard frowned. He really didn't know how to answer Popovich. Could he tell Popovich that your Parker likes wives and is about to fall in love with the minivan?

This caused Xiao Li's wife and children to break up?

You definitely can't say that, and Popovich definitely wouldn't believe it if he said it.

"There is no special reason. He is our oldest player in West Lafayette. I hope he can retire under my hands." Richard said a reason that sounded more reliable.

Popovich nodded, "Okay, Lee, then the deal is done, can you tell me your name now?"

"Yog-Gabajosa."