One Guard

The Dallas Mavericks successfully picked up two of their favorites, Mitchell and Kuzma, in this year's draft. However, in this lively summer, the Mavericks' operations did not cause much sensation.

In this year’s draft, the most high-profile players are undoubtedly Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, Mitchell and Kuzma, if not for Dallas Mavericks, maybe no one knows these two guys at all. The Lakers have been observing Kuzma for a long time, but in fact they are not completely confident in this older rookie.

A sophomore guard who was picked 13th overall and had a mediocre performance in college. He aspired to be a baseball player but instead took the road of basketball. There is also a thin power forward who has played in college for four years and seems to the outside world to have no talent left.

Can these two little guys bring any qualitative changes to the Mavericks? Everyone agrees that nothing can change. People think that the Mavericks went to war in the draft, but only for two players who were not optimistic at all. It was a bluff.

"Is it possible that Carlisle plans to use Kyle Kuzma to play against Durant next season? Hahahahaha, this is really hilarious!"

"I know Donovan Mitchell trained in Paul's training camp, and Chris Paul also praised him very much. But come on, maybe that's just flattery. Donovan couldn't win in the NCAA as a sophomore. After his dominant performance, how can Yiyang expect him to become his second Wade in the NBA?"

"Rudy Gobert is indeed a successful draft, but the Mavericks' desire to get players like Gobert with low picks every time is simply a fantasy!"

Sure enough, after the draft, the Mavericks were undoubtedly the ones who received the most criticism. Seth Curry and Smith Jr., as well as all next year's draft picks, were paid for two low-ranking rookies. Some even say that Cuban has already suffered from Alzheimer's disease in advance. After all, normal people would not make such a deal.

Faced with criticism from the outside world, the Mavericks don't care. Mavericks scouts were impressed with both Kuzma and Mitchell. And compared to scouts, Cuban actually believed in Yiyang's vision more. After all, Yiyang had personally played against them during the trial training, so he could get a more intuitive evaluation than the scouts. And Yiyang's vision of people has always been very accurate. He is very harsh on himself, so he will not easily affirm someone. Being able to get Yiyang's approval means that this guy must have two skills.

Scouts and stars are both optimistic about the rookie, and Cuban is naturally full of confidence.

Kuzma and Donovan lived up to expectations and met early for training to prepare for their first NBA season. It's unclear how well these two little guys are playing, but at least this kind of motivation is something Cuban appreciates very much.

Low-ranking rookies also have the benefits of low-ranking rookies. They don't need to be disturbed by the media like Lonzo Ball, but can polish their skills with peace of mind. However, even if neither Mitchell nor Kuzma can play, Cuban and Yiyang still have backup options.

The draft is a gamble, and even the cautious Yiyang cannot guarantee that he will win. But the draft isn't the only move the Mavericks are making this summer, as Cuban said. If the Mavericks want to strengthen now, they must rely on the contacts Yiyang has accumulated over the years.

Speaking of Yiyang's connections, Celtics coach Brad Stevens and Gordon Hayward are definitely two names that cannot be avoided.

If Hayward chooses to opt out of his contract, he will become a completely free agent! Yiyang knew very well that now was the time to extend an olive branch to his college friend.

※※※

The temperature in Salt Lake City in June is very high, but it is not painful for the two "otakus" who are playing games in the room.

In a three-story villa next to the Great Salt Lake, two basketball stars, Yiyang and Hayward, were staring ahead attentively and communicating with each other. Of course, they weren't playing basketball, they were playing video games.

"Yi, did you see it!? About a hundred meters ahead, behind the house, there are two people!" Hayward was very nervous. He was completely immersed in the role.

"Where!? I didn't see anything?" Yiyang moved the mouse in confusion. This guy knew nothing about computer games.

"It's that red-roofed house, did you see it? They're coming out, they're coming out! Shoot, shoot!"

Hayward shouted and clicked the mouse frantically. On the computer screen, flames erupted from the gun in the hand of Hayward's character.

Yiyang looked ahead in confusion, vaguely seeing two small black dots, and pretended to fire along.

Naturally, Yiyang didn't hit a single shot, causing Hayward to be killed by the enemy.

"Damn it, I gave you the best weapons and accessories!" Hayward looked at Yiyang helplessly. If this guy's marksmanship was half as accurate as shooting on the basketball court, he wouldn't have done it just now. As for being eliminated.

"Come on Gordon, BA2K is the only game I know how to play. I know nothing about the others." Yiyang simply raised his hands in surrender and played three battle royale games with Hayward. Yiyang never killed anyone. .

"You really can't hold anything in your mind except basketball." Hayward patted Yiyang's head. Outside of the basketball court, this guy was like a piece of wood.

"Nonsense, besides basketball, there is also my wife and son!"

"By the way, maybe your son can play games with me in the future! Hahaha, I hope he grows up quickly!" Unlike Yiyang, if Hayward doesn't play basketball, he is definitely an e-sports player.

"I'm tired, let's go down to the living room and take a rest." Yiyang stretched and stood up. He glanced at Hayward secretly and found that those words seemed difficult to say even to his best friend.

The two guys, who were almost three years old, were still lying lazily on the sofa as they did in college, enjoying the relatively gentle sunshine in Salt Lake City. Over the years, both Yiyang and Hayward have changed a lot. But the relationship between the two was as pure as before.

"Gordon, I heard that you have plans to break out of your contract this summer?" After taking two sips of iced Coke, Yiyang got to the point.

He came all the way to Salt Lake City not just to play games with this little otaku.

"The season has just ended, can't you put down your work first? Well, I do have this plan. I am 27 years old like you. But you have reached the top four times, and I have played in the playoffs more times. I didn’t even get up 4 times.” Hayward smiled mockingly, “Hey, to tell you the truth, the boss has already extended an invitation to me!”

"Boss? Brad?" Yiyang's eyes widened. The Celtics were also interested in Hayward. This was indeed a big unknown news.

That old fox Stevens started really early!

"Who else could it be? It would be wonderful to play under Brad again! At least, it would be better than Salt Lake City."

"Then have you ever thought about coming to Dallas to play ball?"

"Poof!" Hayward spit out all the coke in his mouth. He was frightened.

"Damn it, why are you so exaggerated?"

"Dallas Mavericks!? That's a...super team!" After holding it in for a long time, Hayward finally said the word "super team."

"Not now. Last season we were kicked out of our asses by the Warriors." Yiyang pouted. The Warriors' lineup was really scary. "But if you were there, we would immediately become the sweeping team we had before." The league’s super team!”

Hayward was stunned. He had never thought about joining the Dallas Mavericks. But he didn't expect that it would come so suddenly.

Indeed, most stars in this league are hostile to the Mavericks and are unwilling to be a Chinese green leaf. But Hayward is different. He has no enmity with the Mavericks, and he and Yiyang are also old friends and partners. Even if he is just serving as Yiyang's deputy, Hayward will not be unhappy at all.

And he heard that Irving is now clamoring to leave James in order to start his own business. The Celtics will be Irving's most likely next club. Going to Boston, he served as Irving's deputy. Going to Dallas, he became Yiyang's deputy. It seems that this is a no-brainer choice.

But there is one factor that prevents Hayward from jumping to conclusions - Brad Stevens.

As a player coming out of the Bulldogs, Stevens was a huge draw for Hayward. In fact, what attracts Hayward most to the Celtics is the young coach.

Even Yiyang has to admit that playing under Stevens is definitely a pleasure. Looking at Thomas, who is only 1.75 meters tall, living like a duck in water under Stevens' system, you can tell that this coach is of good quality.

"I didn't expect you came here for this, either. This is a bit too sudden, I...I don't know." Hayward shook his head. Dallas was as good as Boston, and he didn't know which choice was the best. is correct.

He is his best friend and his best teacher. This is a difficult decision for anyone. When it comes to championship opportunities, Dallas has a chance. If Irving joins, the Celtics also have a chance. What's more, there is no need to meet the Warriors in advance in the East.

"Ha, don't worry, you have the whole summer to think about it slowly. Let's go, let's play another game. Hey, I will definitely get a head this time!" Yiyang patted Hayward on the shoulder, no Let the atmosphere continue to be serious.

He believes that Hayward will make the right decision. After all, this is his most reliable connection.

"Stop talking nonsense, your marksmanship is terrible!"

Two "big boys" who were almost 30 years old went upstairs and once again got into the fierce "battle".

It doesn't matter whether it's Boston or Dallas, as long as Yiyang and Hayward are together, there will definitely be endless fun!

At this moment, the two of them are not husbands and fathers, nor are they professional players. They are just two ordinary boys who love to play and have fun, nothing more.

In the end, Yiyang spent three days in Salt Lake City. It was really three days of fun. Except for that one time, Yiyang never mentioned the transfer to Hayward again.

Three days later, Yiyang returned to Dallas, took a look at his wife and children, and then continued his journey to expand the lineup.

At this moment, the famous sports reporter Wojnarowski broke a piece of breaking news. The news spread quickly on the Internet and became a hot topic.

"Gordon Hayward's manager has had in-depth contact with the Dallas Mavericks, and the two parties are close to signing a contract."

Yiyang, who was holding his son in his left hand and holding a mobile phone in his right hand, was laughing wildly. It seems that Hayward has made his decision. In this way, the Warriors' dynasty is about to collapse before it is established!

Come on Gordon, since the NCAA championship, I have always wanted to win another championship with you. The Bulldogs' Cinderella myth will continue to extend in the NBA!