The rest is just noise

This year's draft and free market will be the showcase for NBA clubs.

Strong teams need to be strengthened, while weak teams need to be traded.

Louis originally wanted to do the trading himself, but West was too easy to use.

So, Louis gave him another task.

"Help me get a pick that is outside the top ten, but not lower than the 16th pick in the first round." Louis said with a smile, "No matter what method you use, I only look at the results."

West hesitated for a moment: "Is it related to Kobe?"

"Don't be obsessed with Kobe all day long. There are so many talents in this draft. Isn't it too short-sighted to only focus on one Kobe?" Louis said with disgrace, "Besides, a player of Kobe's caliber, It’s not my number one goal at all.”

West said with a serious face: "If I had the first pick in the first round, I would use it to select Kobe."

"Then you will be drowned in the fans' saliva before Kobe realizes his talent." Louis said mockingly.

West received the assignment and went to carry it out.

Louis then looked at his address book, wondering who had an advantage to take advantage of, ah no, the correct statement should be - there is a deal to be made.

Louis saw the Boston Celtics at a glance.

This year, under the leadership of the reborn Grant Hill and the mentally disturbed Rasheed Wallace, they had a tenth record in the Eastern Conference and then selected the twelfth pick in the first round.

This is the theoretical lottery bottom.

Even in a big draft year like 1996, it takes luck to select a good player with the 12th pick.

So, Louis got on the phone with Celtics executive vice president Dave Gavitt.

"Hello, who's there?"

"Dave, it's me, Louis."

"Coach Lu? Why did you remember to call me?"

"I wanted to congratulate you on a good season and discuss a win-win deal with you."

On the other end of the phone, Gavitt already wanted to end the chat.

"Coach Lu, everyone who has ever done a win-win deal with you has found themselves losing twice a few years after the deal was completed."

"Dave, I believe you know me. I have always been loyal to others and would not harm my friends. Those rumors that I always win twice in trading are fabricated by people who are jealous of my achievements. You I can’t believe it.”

Gavitt was a little scared: "Coach Lu, you make me shudder. What do you want from me?"

"I want to use your No. 12 lottery ticket. Is it convenient?"

Hearing that Louis wanted draft picks, Gavitt felt much more relaxed.

"Coach Lu, this year is known as the golden draft year. Although our pick is not at the top, its value is comparable to the top five picks in a normal draft year."

"Really? Then I have a question. Do you think last year was an ordinary draft?"

"Forget it..."

"So can you draft another Rasheed Wallace with the 12th pick this year?"

"Well..."

"Look, Dave, you have nothing to say, right? The most important thing in doing business is to be honest. I am really sincere, but if your price is too high, then I can only find someone else." People talked about it.”

Gavitt really wanted to kill Louis.

But after talking for a few words, he calmed down.

Kill Louis? Are you kidding? Don't just hand the knife to someone else and still think they are a loyal person.

Historical lessons taught Gavitt that all those who tried to take advantage of Louis never took advantage in the end.

It's better to see what the other party's plan is. If the chips are suitable, trade, if not, stop.

"Coach Lu, just tell me, what price are you willing to pay for the No. 12 pick?"

"Dave, do you know what the Celtics lack most right now?"

Gavitt guessed: "Mature core players?"

"You're half right." Louis started to fool, "Because a mature player may not be a core player. He can be a veteran, or a former All-Star with rich game experience. He can help Grant and Rashid accumulate experience.

Competition experience.”

Gavitt felt justified: "Who is that?"

"Derek Harper is an underrated player and our starting point guard last season. He is of high quality and low price. If it weren't for the talent in our team, with his strength, he would have a chance to be selected as an All-Star again."

Gavitt almost believed it, but he still had reason.

"Coach Lu, I can't give away the No. 12 pick for Derek Harper."

Seeing that the deception failed, Louis gave up the plan and said directly: "Let's do this. I'll tell you which of us are untradeable, and you can see if there are any players you want."

After Louis mentioned all the people and things (draft picks) that could not be traded, Gavitt was surprised to find that Christian Lettner was actually tradable?

Wouldn't that make things clear?

Gavitt asked: "Is Christian Lettner tradable?"

"Dave, Christian is a true All-Star player. He is still very young and far from his peak. I don't think we can replace him with just the No. 12 pick," Louis said softly.

"Considering that he and Grant were teammates in college, reuniting them in the NBA may improve Grant's immediate combat effectiveness to another level..."

Louis' words hit the nail on the head.

It's really unrealistic to trade No. 12 for Turner.

But I really want it...

Let Turner and Hill, the golden pair who dominated college basketball, reunite in the NBA. It would be exciting to think about it.

Gavitt asked seriously: "Coach Lu, what else do I need to pay for you to complete this deal?"

So, is it my turn now?

In a few words, Louis changed from the seeker to the sought.

"Then please tell me who among the current Celtics is untradeable."

"We don't have many untradeable players, only Grant and Rasheed. As for draft picks... we will not give away any future first-round picks for this deal."

"Well, I won't embarrass you." Louis said calmly, "As long as you give me the No. 12 pick in your hands, the No. 12 pick in the second round, and Dana Barros, I will give you the special

Give it to you."

Gavitt thought for a moment and said: "Coach Lu, do you really think that coming to Turner is worth a No. 12 pick, a strong starting point guard, and a second-round pick?"

Louis quickly scanned the Celtics' roster and put extreme pressure on Gavitt: "If you think it's not worth it, our negotiations may only end here."

Gavitt sighed: "Let's do this, Coach Lu, you add Derek Harper in the trade, and you can choose any player in our lineup besides Grant and Rasheed to balance the salary.

"

"Dave, you put it so lightly. That's a gap of several million dollars. Except for the two you mentioned, your player list contains either premium players or young people who are still on rookie contracts. What do you want me to do?"

Balancing pay?”

"Stanley Roberts (Stas C) is a good inside man..."

"In addition, he is still short of $500,000."

"Then add David Wesley PG."

"A premium player with a low basketball IQ, an undrafted point guard with a short frame, in exchange for Turner and Derek Harper? Dave, is this how you do business?"

Gavitt was choked by Louis and was speechless.

"Dave, I really want to make a deal with you, but you can't just think about taking advantage of it. I can give you Turner, I can give you Harper, and I can even help you eat Stanley's ridiculous share.

contract, but you have to give me some additional compensation."

"what do you want?"

"You know!"

"Draft pick? No, I won't..."

"Then this negotiation ends here!"

After that, Louis really hung up the phone.

Forum, President's Office

Jim Bass brought Louis a can of Coke: "Sir, are you really done? I think this deal can be done."

Louis chuckled and said, "What do you know?"

"Is there any mystery?"

"Shh."

Little Bas;???

About half a minute later, the phone in the office rang again.

Louis deliberately waited ten seconds before picking up the phone: "Hello."

"Coach Lu, if we add a Millennium first-round pick to the deal, would you accept it?"

"Are there any additional terms?"

"No, it's an unprotected first-round pick."

Louis opened the Coke with one hand, and Bass clapped his hands gently and cheered.

"That's right, Dave, are principles important? Very important, but principles are dead and people are alive." Louis said with satisfaction, "Sometimes in order to get what we want, we have to go against our own principles.

Do something against your will."

"I really hope this deal is a win-win," Gavitt said uneasily.

"It's definitely a win-win situation. You think about it, we got the draft picks, you got mature players, the Celtics will make great achievements next season, and the extra two players are just rubbish you picked yourself. Even in the draft

The power can only be realized in the new century, what else do you have to worry about?"

Dave Gavitt said confusedly: "Yeah, I have nothing to worry about."

"Did we get a deal?"

"Deal."

This must be a win-win deal, right?

right?