The rest is just noise

"Oh? Seriously?" Louis, who didn't want Wilkins at all, asked excitedly, "I wonder what price we have to pay to get a superstar like Dominic?"

"Coach Lu, I said this will be a deal that benefits both of us. I will never ask for too much, making it unaffordable for you or compromising your combat effectiveness. I hate green as much as you do, and I hope

See Boston fall."

The hatred in West's tone was undisguised.

No wonder, after losing to the Celtics five times as a player, he formed a great team in the 1980s and then lost five consecutive finals, including four consecutive losses to the Celtics.

He is not crazy yet, and there are no rumors of seeing a psychiatrist, which is enough to prove his big heart.

Louis asked: "Please tell me."

"Benjamin Wilson." West's words were like thunder hitting Louis' ears, "Coach Lu, I know Wilson is a future superstar, but he belongs to the future, and if you get Dominic, you can win the present."

Obviously, the Lakers no longer have confidence in their current team.

Their only hope is to acquire another new star and form another championship team to reach the top before the magician completely ages.

So, West went to the Knicks and proposed a very attractive deal.

"The salary doesn't match, does it?" Louis asked with a smile.

"That's right, Coach Lu, I should have said that I am willing to do my part to help you defeat the Celtics." West's next words are heart-warming, "For this reason, we

Willing to take Artis Gilmore's contract."

In other words, a Wilkins, replaced by Wilson + Gilmore.

Gilmore's annual salary reaches 800,000. Although he is a good backup center, 800,000 is too expensive. No matter how you look at it, it is a garbage contract.

The Lakers have gone to this extent to make this deal, and their sincerity cannot be overstated.

West does have the courage and does what he says. This is a deal that is beneficial to both parties.

It can also be seen that he really hates the Celtics.

"Jerry, I must solemnly reject you." Louis' answer was beyond West's expectation, "I like your idea and see your sincerity. You may not believe it, but in my eyes, Domi

Nick Wilkins is no match for Benj."

West finally became anxious: "Coach Lu, this is too arrogant! Dominic was selected for last season's second team and played back and forth with Larry in the finals, while Benjamin is just a rookie.

At this stage, he is far from Nick (nickname)’s opponent!”

"I agree with what you said. There is a strength gap between the two at this stage. You also admit that Benj's future is very bright. Therefore, we have no objection on this point." Louis said openly, "Your starting point is very accurate to defeat Kyle.

That's what I want to do most right now, and I'd pay anything to do it, but not Benj, and especially, to get Dominic Wilkins for it."

West asked in confusion: "Why?"

"If Nick can have a feud with Ervin, then he can have a feud with anyone. I don't want to introduce a superstar with a problem." Louis didn't let West explain, "Jerry, I started in 1978

I have been in this circle since 2001. I have witnessed Ervin’s starting point. I have personally watched him struggle in the years with the Lakers, not only the days when he failed, but also the days when he succeeded. I know what kind of player he is.

.He is the most perfect leader in this league. If Nick can't coexist with such a person, then he can't coexist with any leader. He can only become the leader himself."

"And I don't want a leader named Dominique Wilkins on my team."

It is often the champion himself who defeats the champion.

The reason why a team collapses always has nothing to do with basketball.

At this stage, Wilkins is better than Wilson. With him, the Knicks can indeed take a big step closer to the championship, but Louis is unwilling to destroy his vision for the future of the team.

That's it for Wilkins, but Wilson still has an extremely long-term future.

He wants West to know that his rejection of the deal has nothing to do with basketball.

"I understand what you mean, Coach Lu." West seemed to be making a decision, and he didn't want to give up.

For this, he is willing to pay a higher price.

"Coach Lu, what if I increase our offer?"

"How else can it be improved?"

West gritted his teeth, as long as he could get Wilson, no matter what price the Lakers paid, it would be worth it: "In addition to Dominic, we will also send out this year's first-round pick, as well as the 1989 first-round pick, and the 1991 first-round pick.

First-round pick and the 1993 first-round pick."

This offer made Louis open his mouth.

"You just need to give us one more young player." West said crazily. "You can choose this young player."

This means that in order to get Wilson, the Lakers have to send Wilkins and four future unprotected first-round picks.

Louis couldn't help but smile. He was shocked by the pride of the LOGO man and was even more convinced of Benj's greatness.

What kind of person is the man with the LOGO? He saw the extraordinaryness of Kobe at a glance, threatened the Warriors management with resignation to prevent Thompson from trading Love, and promoted the establishment of the Los Angeles Aircraft Carrier behind the scenes. Such a person is willing to spend all his money to replace a rookie, which represents

What are you wearing?

This kind of bidding is completely reckless and almost crazy.

Come to think of it, this is exactly West's style.

In 1996, he used a 100-million-yuan maximum salary with a face of 80 million to steal the Sharks from the hands of Orlando, who had been grinding. Then as a consultant, he advised the Clippers and the Thunder to negotiate and sent a record number of first-round picks to acquire Paul George.

He is the kind of gambler who will push all his chips when he sees an opportunity.

But he knew that as long as he got the target, he would definitely bet correctly.

This time, his opponent thought differently than others.

"Thank you, Jerry." Louis smiled, "Your crazy chips helped me confirm Benj's future."

West asked weakly: "You still want to say no?"

"Yes, but as for Artis Gilmore's contract, I think there is still room for negotiation between us." Louis asked like a profiteer, "Are you interested in negotiating another deal with me that would allow us to mutually benefit?

A winning deal?”

West naturally became alert: "Tell me about it?"

"Before that, I want to confirm something." Louis asked, "Will Karim retire early this summer?"

"Why did you say advance?"

"Well"

"Just tell me the answer directly."

"Unless someone offers him a seven-figure salary, he should retire."

Louis said with a smile: "So, objectively speaking, you have room to take Artis's contract?"

"No, because Dominic is still there." West still resented, "We can't take Artis' contract."

"Don't worry, I can give you an idea about Dominic's contract. Now let's talk about how you can take Artis's contract."

West listened to Louis talk in detail.

At first, he didn't take it seriously, but gradually, the plan proposed by Louis made his heart move.

When he talked about how the Lakers handled Wilkins' contract and how they benefited from the process, West was stunned and speechless.

These two transactions, on the one hand, will benefit the Knicks in the short term, and on the other hand, they will benefit the Knicks and Lakers in the long term.

If the Lakers really intend to stop competing with the Celtics and tear down the team and rebuild it, this is a plan that cannot be rejected.

However, the Knicks will take advantage.

West remembered that his crazy trading plan was rejected by Louis, but now he wants to agree to the trading plan provided by Louis?

After all, he has given a plan on how to deal with Wilkins, and he fully agrees with it. He can completely accept Louis' suggestion but not talk to the Knicks about trading Gilmore.

However, even if the Knicks will take advantage, the Lakers will also benefit a lot.

"Why should I promise you?" West asked.

"Because this is good for the Lakers." Louis pointed out with a smile, "You also said that you are willing to do your part to bring down Boston. If this sentence is true, I think you should not miss it.

This opportunity. You can not only allow the Lakers to start rebuilding, but also strengthen our strength. Most importantly, you will see the Celtics feel anxious about this."

"To be honest, this deal is not necessary for us. I just don't want to miss any opportunity to strengthen. If the Lakers are willing to help us, we will make this deal. If you are not willing, I will not

Reluctantly." Louis said frankly, "We can cooperate next time."

Now, Jerry West knows why this young man with no roots in Boston was pushed by the old devil Auerbach to become the head coach at the age of 23.

I also know why Auerbach regretted it after he left.

I also know why the New York Knicks, who were as lost as the "Beat Generation" after their glory in the early 1970s, rose rapidly within three years.

Little is not only a natural head coach, but also a natural club manager.

West didn't know when Louis came up with these trade plans.

He couldn't have prepared it in advance, because this transaction was a surprise attack by West.

In other words, Louis judged that the Lakers were ready to rebuild based on the information provided by West, and during the negotiation process with him, he thought of how to deal with Gilmore's contract and how to deal with Wilkins for the Lakers.

Provided a plan that made West very excited.

What's even more outrageous is that this matter, which seems to be only related to the Lakers, can still indirectly bring long-term benefits to the Knicks.

"Coach Lu, those people who call you Little Lu because you are young will be tricked by you sooner or later until they are ruined. You are not Little Lu. There is a cunning devil hidden in your young body." West made Louis see religion.

What is a derogatory compliment like, "You should be called imp (little devil)."

"I like this title, please help me promote it." Louis joked, then changed the topic back, "Give me the final answer, Jerry."

West demanded: "You have to give me another draft pick."

"Impossible, Jerry." Louis said, "For a 31-year-old veteran, I have already given away two young players with great potential and a very valuable No. 8 pick. It is impossible for me to give you more."

too much."

Nearly 20 seconds of silence.

"Okay, let's make a deal." A smile appeared on West's face, "Who makes me hate the Celtics so much?"