The Basketball Court Swordsman

In Los Angeles in February, standing on the balcony can still feel the biting cool breeze. But because of this, the balcony was empty and there was no one. People naturally prefer to stay in a warm hall instead of running out to blow. Of course, this is undoubtedly a very conducive business environment.

Hammond lit a cigarette, and Henson took the humidor from his pocket and lit a cigar. He took a deep breath, and neither of the men spoke. Henson knew that Hammond wanted to wait for himself to speak first.

"Milwaukee Bucks," Henson said, flicking the soot that fell on his clothes. "Need a position that can handle the ball and shoot the basket."

"The news of Coach Henson is as well informed as ever." Hammond did not deny it, after all, the news has spread. Superfluous denials will seem meaningless.

The Bucks are willing to send out Doren Lamb, Tobias Harris and Benno Udry, and get J.J. Redick, Ismail Smith and Gustavo Ayon from the Magic. The subject of this transaction is actually J.J. Redick.

In addition to allowing Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings to play freely, the Bucks also need a substitute to score points to help them.

In fact, the Bucks have been coveting Redick before. Since the team already has "backcourt double shots" Jennings and Ellis, Udri who needs to hold the ball in his hands cannot play the desired effect. As a pure shooter, Redick can ambush outside the three-point line, using the two breakthrough points to steadily hit the ball, increasing the efficiency of the offensive end.

Redick's annual salary of 6.19 million this year is undoubtedly a big burden for the Magic that has been determined to rebuild, and his style cannot be the core of the team. And Udri's expiring contract will release a lot of cap space for the team in the summer, and the Magic are naturally very intentional to send him away.

It stands to reason that this deal should have been reached long ago, after all, the Bucks and Magic can both get what they need from it. But the reason why this node transaction has not been completed until the trading deadline is less than 24 hours, the problem mainly lies in the Bucks forward Tobias Harris.

Tobias Harris, the 2.06-meter forward was selected by the Bobcats with the 19th overall pick in the first round of 2011 and was then traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. During his two years with the Bucks, he never got any decent opportunities. This season, only 4 points per game have been accounted for, which seems to have no potential. But in the middle of the season, when the Bucks coach Scott Skiles resigned because of a broken relationship with the players, he replaced Skiles's Jim Boylan and changed Harris' fate.

Jim Boylan first allowed Harris to play back his favorite three position from the four position and gave Harris more playing time. Tobias Harris did not live up to Boylan's expectations. In the last five games, Tobias Harris has risen suddenly, averaging 17.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game!

As a forward with height, body, and shooting talent, Hammond is certainly reluctant to leave Harris. But in the same way, J.J. Redick is also very attractive. The Magic also stated that if Tobias Harris were not in the transaction, they would not agree. In this way, the transaction reached a deadlock.

Just when Hammond didn't know how to choose, Henson Joe appeared.

"It's not well-informed. The world knows that the Bucks will have a deal before the trade deadline. And one thing I know is that you don't want to pay a player like Tobias Harris. He is really good, Jim. Boylan played Harris's strengths. However, the Magic is the potential of Harris." Henson took care of everything, he also observed Hammond's expression. Seeing that the other party did not smile but frowned slightly, Henson knew that he was right!

"I have to admit," Hammond shook his head. "You impressed me, Coach Henson. So, do you have any better suggestions? As far as I know, you have no reason to disrupt your existing lineup. Configuration. What kind of deal do you have with us? Monta Ellis? Or Brandon Jennings?"

"No, I won't fight your idea of'double shots in the backcourt'." Henson waved his hand, unless he wanted to commit suicide, otherwise he would want those two players who didn't know how to control. Of course, he did not say this sentence, "In fact, I don’t even need you to pay any player, Mr. Hammond. I don’t need Monta, I don’t need Brandon, and I will even leave Tobias to You. Let me tell you this. I don't want to get any benefit from you, you just need to help me digest this player."

"Which player?"

"A player who can handle the ball and shoot three pointers. I don't need the player you need, DJ Augustin! Let me tell you the truth, Augustine is a good player, but his style is not suitable for us. I need to be able to defend and A tall guard, but obviously Augustine is not. So, this season we actually only have Chris Paul as a point guard available. Such a depth of bench is naturally very dangerous in the playoffs. So, I fell in love with the Wizards. The cut Sean Livingston. Yes, he was the former high school genius. He is tall and able to defend, which fits my role as a backup point guard."

Henson said, took a cigar, slowly. The essence of the fool is to make the false as true as possible, so Henson himself can't be anxious. When you are in a hurry, flaws will emerge.

"So, I was going to sign him. As a result, my boss, Mr. Stephen Simon told me that he would not spend millions of dollars for a substitute. It is okay to sign Livingston, unless I can get Augustine. Go. He doesn't have to pay an extra salary as soon as he comes and goes. What a bastard, you know, if Herbert were still in power, he couldn't have said such a thing!"

Henson finished speaking and secretly apologized to Stephen in his heart. The above are all made by Henson, the purpose is to fool Hammond. But for the future of the team, the only way to take the boss out is to take the blame. Of course, what Henson said above is not all lies. For example, the period when planning to sign Livingston is true.

It is the most unpredictable.

"So, you plan to trade Augustine to me, and then you are good to sign your Livingston before the free signing deadline?" Hammond is not stupid, and quickly understood what Henson wanted him to understand.

"Yes, I know your goal is the playoffs, and I also know that Augustine is eager to get a chance to perform. I admit that Augustine may not be as good as Redick from beyond the three-point line. But think from another angle and accept a weakened version. Redick, I can save you a Tobias Harris. These are my proposals. The choice is yours, Mr. Hammond." Henson put out his own bargaining chip, come stud!

"This is unreasonable, the league does not allow unilateral transactions. You said you don't want my players, then what should I trade with you?"

"Take the picks to make up the numbers. Anyway, this year is a small draft year. Even those bad teams can't start, let alone our teams outside the lottery zone." Henson pretended to be nonchalant to mention the facts. Above, the draft pick of the Bucks this summer is the core of Henson's deal!

What deliberately took Augustine away, what Stephen Simon did not want to spend, these are all pretense! The Bucks continue to play like this, even without a lottery pick, they can still get a draft before the 20th overall pick. For Antetokounmpo, who is still unknown now, the pick before the 20th overall pick is safe enough to win him!

Henson is not afraid that Hammond will see through himself, because the 13th draft is indeed a recognized draft year. How small is it? It can be said that up to now, there has been no "competent" champion. Not to mention, the low draft pick afterwards.

Hammond thought for a while. In the banquet hall, Bryant had already taken the stage, and the charity event officially began.

"No, I'm not going to use up my first-round pick, Coach Henson." Hammond waved his hand. Although it is very likely that no good players will be selected in the 13th draft, he still does not intend to take it so hastily. The picks are spent.

"Don’t let you spend the draft in vain, I’m willing to play Augustine, plus my two-round pick this summer! In this way, you still have a first-round pick, and one more second-round pick, and you can have DJ Augustine. The most important thing is to keep Tobias Harris behind. Help, Mr. Hammond. I really need Livingston, you know, our goal is a championship. There is something wrong. The pick is not important to us, I will give it to you. I will not let you suffer, and I owe you a favor." Henson continued to fool, trying to prevent Hammond from thinking about the pick.

Hardmond did not smile and shook his head to refuse, but hesitated for a while. Henson doesn't know whether this deal will succeed in the end, but he is sure that Hardmond is thinking about it seriously!

"Let's go, Coach Henson, the master is about to start speaking." Hammond did not rush to answer, instead extinguished his cigarette and prepared to return to the hall.

"Please ask me first, Mr. Hardmond." Henson respectfully opened the balcony door for Hardmond. There is no rush for this matter, he must give Hardmond some time to think about it.

Anyway, there are not a few hours left for him to consider.