Glenfield is the current president of basketball affairs for the Washington Wizards. This position is equivalent to the owner's team general manager, helping the owner manage everything about the team.
He was also the decision-maker for the Wizards to sign Arenas, and he was also the one who selected Li Kaiming in the draft. He originally thought that as long as he found enough helpers for Arenas, the latter would play with peace of mind, but he did not expect that What's strange is that the two core players he chose, both inside and outside, started fighting before even finishing a regular season game...
So when Ernie Grunfield received a call from Heat president Pat Riley, he knew Riley was up to something.
Pat Riley, known as the "Magic Calculator", was known for his crazy defensive strategies when he was a coach. After becoming the president of the Heat, the Heat still implemented his iron-blooded style. Not only did the training intensity be extremely intense, but he also placed high demands on the players. Also very high.
This offseason, Pat Riley also formed the Heat's Big Three, which everyone in the league is talking about. The team's lineup is already beyond people's imagination, but now it seems that he actually wants to play Li Kaiming's idea. .
Grunfield laughed dryly and said, "Pat, you guys, the Heat, are very ambitious. The Big Three are still not satisfied and want to take advantage of our No. 1 pick. Besides, what bargaining chips do you have? Is it possible that if you win the championship, you can share half of it with me?" championship trophy?”
On the other side of the phone, Pat Riley leaned back in his chair, changed into the most comfortable position, and then crossed his legs, "Ernie, I just think this guy is very much in line with my taste. If he can come to the Heat, he will Definitely the type of player I want to coach, and leaving him in Saunders' hands is a waste of money in my opinion..."
After hearing this, Grunfield smiled and cursed, "You old guy, you are so rude. After all, Philip is the coach of our Wizards. Isn't it inappropriate for you to say bad things about him in front of me?"
"It's just the truth. By the way, where were you just now? Oh, yes, as for your lack of bargaining chips, that's not a problem in my opinion. The road is dead but the people are alive. As long as you nod over there, I will definitely I’ll give you a satisfactory answer.”
Grunfield showed a meaningful smile, "Then I want LeBron James, do you give it to me?"
Riley on the other end of the phone was silent for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "Ernie, don't be kidding me. LeBron's contract doesn't match Li Kaiming's at all. If you want him, you have to get Gilbert and Li Kaiming." Li Kaiming bundled it up and traded it over. I just think Li Kaiming’s talent is very good. Why do I need another prickly head?”
Grunfield was also dumbfounded when he heard that Riley was actually seriously considering his proposal!
You know, although James Xia has become a public enemy in the eyes of many fans because of his transfer and team-building, his ability is indeed the best in the league, and his playing style is extremely violent. For those who like to watch all kinds of flying and violent violence For those Emerica fans who want to dunk, James is the master of body style.
For such a player who is one of the best in the league in terms of strength and influence, Riley actually seriously considered the possibility of replacing Li Kaiming.
Grunfield originally thought Riley would tell him to stop joking, but in fact he knew in his heart that he was just joking!
Riley's vision is notoriously picky. At present, it seems that in Riley's eyes, Li Kaiming's prospects may be no less than LeBron James's?
Grunfield didn't dare to think about it anymore. If he thought about it any more, he was afraid that his imagination would not be able to control it. So after sending Riley away, he immediately sent a text message to the team's vice president Tommy Shepard, briefly talking about it. What just happened...
And Shepard's response made him even more surprised. It turned out that after the two news of the Wizards' internal strife, the general managers of about five teams had contacted Shepard, hoping to discuss it. The possibility of trading for Li Kaiming...
Many of these teams are well-known tank teams in the league. They lack everything but draft picks. The bargaining chips they brought out made Shepard, who has been in the league's team management for many years, very excited after hearing this. !
After hearing Sheppard's reply, Grunfield sat on the leather chair in the office and fell into deep thought. Originally, he wanted to take another look. It would be best to resolve this conflict within the team, so that everyone would be happy.
Arenas was played under his hands, and Li Kaiming was the future star he selected for the team. He did not want to give up on either side easily.
But the current strong interest shown by other teams in Li Kaiming made him realize that he might have underestimated Li Kaiming before.
So far, including the Heat, 6 teams have come to inquire about the price, plus some are still waiting to see the situation. Glenfield estimates that if the Wizards plan to trade Li Kaiming, there will be at least more than 100 teams in the league. Two-thirds of the teams will join the scramble.
Maybe even all teams.
With the strength that Li Kaiming has shown so far, the league's leading scorer with an average of 30 points per game, he only gets a salary of less than 6 million. It is a very cost-effective contract no matter how you look at it. Moreover, if Li Kaiming can be traded, the team that gets him will also get him. He will also get the latter's bird rights, so that after the rookie contract ends, the parent team can offer a maximum salary that is about 10% higher than the free market, and the excess will not trigger the salary cap!
Yes, the current Li Kaiming is the lowest paid and high-powered player in the league, and he also has very broad prospects.
This situation also made Grenfield tangled. Originally, he planned to keep both of them, but at present, it seems that Li Kaiming's value in the trading market is ridiculously high, and the contract is as cost-effective as illegal work, so the ball It is absolutely impossible for the team to trade Li Kaiming!
Unless he got caught in the door when he left the office today!
If Li Kaiming is not traded, there are only two options, one is to trade Arenas, and the other is to keep both players in the team.
Grunfield decided to challenge the impossible and try to reunite Li Kaiming and Arenas...
What happens in the president's office is hidden behind the scenes to the general public. Fans can only see what is shown on the court and media reports before and after the game.
As time passed and the lengthy intermission passed, fans at the MCI Center used the time to drain their respective tanks before returning to their seats.
On the court, the game started again. In the third quarter, the Cavaliers served, and it was still the starting lineup of both sides.
Mo Williams dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and called JJ Hickson to come out to cover. Li Kaiming followed. His current perimeter defense is the lowest among all attributes, and his perimeter defense badge is also a bronze level, so he faces other teams. When the defender picks and rolls, he still has to pay a lot of attention.
JJ Hickson blocked Hinrich's position. Mo Williams bypassed Hinrich, dribbled into the three-point line, and met Li Kaiming who came to change defense.
Mo Williams swatted the ball twice, and then suddenly made a sharp change of direction and flashed past Li Kaiming!
Li Kaiming's mind caught up, but his body couldn't respond in time, and Mo Williams broke through and took a lead.
Fortunately, his straight-line explosive speed is strong enough to allow him to keep up with Mo Williams even after losing his frontal defensive position, and then be ready to jump to block shots at any time.
Bratch, who was squatting inside to protect the basket, saw Mo Williams approaching the basket and immediately rushed towards him. His defensive position selection was still relatively good and did not allow Williams to directly pass to Valais. Joe's space.
In this narrow inside line, Mo Williams faced two long-range players chasing and intercepting him, and chose to give the ball to JJ Hickson who was following the free throw line.
At this time, Hickson was not facing Li Kaiming. He immediately gained confidence, dribbled the ball over Brachi twice, pushed it in for more than one meter, and then directly took off and shot!
Two-point goal! 65 to 55!
