"LeBron returns to Cleveland, Irving welcomes him!" 》
"James: Zhao and I are friends and we have had some exchanges. 》
"Zhao Chen is suspected of joining Cleveland?" Build a giant team again? 》
"The Thunder traded Sefolosha to the Hawks and Fisher announced his retirement, seemingly making room for Zhao Chen"
"The four-party deal was completed. Through the four-way deal, the Lakers paid next year's first-round picks and received this year's second-round picks 31, 32, 33, and 34. The Lakers hold 6 picks this year! 》
"The Lakers suffered a big loss. According to the configuration, they are very likely to get the top three picks next year! 》
"What are the Lakers going to do?" Let Kobe and a bunch of rookies waste their career? 》
"Kobe Bryant Retires?" Will the Lakers completely tear down and rebuild? 》
"The Thunder management has lost contact with Zhao Chen. Aaron Mintz said that Zhao Chen has suspended contract renewal negotiations with the Thunder. 》
"Durant: Zhao is a great teammate and I respect any choice he makes. 》
.......
June 24th.
Two days before the NBA draft.
Zhao Chen watched various NBA news on the plane.
He didn't expect the Lakers to be so ruthless, trading away next year's first round for four second rounds.
Is one first-rounder worth 4 second-rounders? See what the order is.
Judging from the current situation that no superstar is willing to go to the Lakers, the Lakers' pick next year is very likely to be in the top five. If you are bolder, the top three is also possible.
The second-round pick is just dispensable for many teams, but every team wants such a high pick.
Judging from this one-for-four, the Lakers suffered a blood loss.
capital.
Return to the country.
When Zhao Chen finished eating with Enna, Xiaoqi, aunt and others.
Zhao Chen received a call from Kobe.
Zhao Chen told Kobe about his itinerary two days ago. Kobe happened to be participating in the China Tour in the Capital event, and the two made an appointment to find time to meet in the capital in the next two days.
"Zhao, Jim and Mickey have also arrived in China. They hope to communicate with you face to face. Do you have time later?" Kobe asked Zhao Chen on the phone.
Zhao Chen was a little surprised to hear that Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak had come to the capital.
Zhao Chen naturally knew what they were here for.
Jim Buss faces the threat of class-stealing power from Jeanne Buss, and the pressure has been great in the past two years.
He desperately wants to achieve results.
They learned from Kobe that the condition for Zhao Chen to join the Lakers was to have enough draft picks this year. After they were sure they had a chance to get Zhao Chen, they went crazy.
next year?
Go to hell next year.
Just bet on this year.
"Okay, but it'll be later. I'm having dinner with some friends."
Zhao Chen gestured to his mouth with his fingers to signal the noisy girls to shut up.
Eating with Enna's beautiful colleague is indeed eye-catching, but just chatting around him all the time is a bit annoying.
The girls were also very well-educated. They didn't need Zhao Chen to show his posture. They calmed down when they heard Zhao Chen talking on the phone.
"Then you eat first and I'll let them wait for you."
"Well, Kobe, do you still have the tickets for your trip to the capital? Give me three, no, four tickets. My friends are your fans and want to attend your meet-and-greet, but they have no tickets."
"No problem, I'll give it to you when we meet later."
"OK."
...
"Wow, Zhao Chen, you are so handsome!" the aunt said, gesturing with her thumb.
"That's great, we just happened to be worried about not having any tickets." Xiao Qi said.
"Isn't it going to cause you any trouble?" Enna asked.
"No, it's a small matter." Zhao Chen said.
Zhao Chen was very familiar with Kobe. Even if he didn't go to the Lakers, it would be trivial to get these tickets.
"Do you have LeBron's?" Mina asked.
"You're so exaggerated, Mina." Xiao Qi patted Mina.
....
A few girls started making noise again. At first, they seemed a little distant from Zhao Chen.
But later on, he didn't treat Zhao Chen as a stranger, and he didn't dare to joke anymore.
Of course, this was due to the superficial atmosphere of everyone staying together. Zhao Chen could feel that he was the center around which these girls were consciously or unconsciously.
Seeing Enna happily staying with them, Zhao Chen didn't pay much attention to them.
At 11 o'clock in the evening, the party ended.
Zhao Chen sent Kobe a message when he returned to the hotel where he was staying.
Following the room number given by Kobe, Zhao Chen entered a conference hall in the hotel where he lived.
Pushing open the door to the meeting, Zhao Chen saw Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak standing tall in suits waiting for him.
Apparently, they've been waiting for a long time.
"Zhao, this is Mickey."
"This is Jim."
Kobe was dressed very casually in casual clothes. He introduced Kupchak and Jim Buss to Zhao Chen.
"Hello, Zhao."
"Hello!"
"You are welcome to come to China from afar."
Zhao Chen smiled and shook hands with the two men.
Zhao Chen didn't talk to any general manager on the phone, and he refused all strange calls.
He only communicated with Kobe, which also showed his trust in Kobe's influence on the Lakers.
Zhao Chen is very cold on the phone, but in person Zhao Chen maintains his social etiquette.
Jim Bass is a middle-aged man with blond hair, with long hair that is sparse at the back.
Kupchak is older, Mediterranean, but has gray hair.
Since Buss passed away, Jim Buss has taken control of the Lakers.
Of course, this power has been in danger in the past two years. Since their peak championship victory in 2010, the Lakers have been in a period of decline, achieving nothing for 4 consecutive years!
After some polite exchanges, the two parties entered into an in-depth communication stage.
"Zhao, Mitch, Kobe and I all want to invite you to join the Lakers." Jim said.
"There are many teams that want me to join." Zhao Chen said.
Zhao Chen is telling the truth. With his current status, he can play for any team he wants to play.
"But not all teams are as sincere as we are, and not all teams are in Los Angeles." Kupchak said.
The Lakers are strategically located in Los Angeles, which has a huge fan market, and the exposure in Hollywood is an irresistible temptation for NBA stars.
This is the confidence of Kupchak and Jim.
"Then why don't the other All-Star players go?" Zhao Chen asked directly.
Jim Buss and Kupchak both fell silent. This question was a bit embarrassing for them.
"First, it's my problem, and second, our staffing in recent years has been too poor." Kobe said frankly.
Zhao Chen looked directly at Kobe and said, "How to solve it?"
Kobe's condition declined, but his reputation was so great that all-star players were unwilling to play against him.
Kobe seemed very determined and said, "If you are willing to come, then I will change my role."
"After you come, we will be attractive and can attract other All-Stars to join us. We have sufficient salary space." Kupchak said.
The simple truth is that after Zhao Chen came, he became the Lakers' new signature.
Coupled with the Lakers' various off-court advantages, it is not difficult to attract some All-Stars.
However, if all this seems to be taking advantage of Zhao Chen's fame, they will look like they have nothing to gain.
"This is not enough to convince me." Zhao Chen said.
Zhao Chen's willingness to come to meet also shows that he is willing to give the Lakers a chance.
"What do you want?" Jim Bass asked.
"When it comes to operating power, if I don't like people, just tell them to go away. If I like people, you can sign them in." Zhao Chen also said very directly.
It's obvious that Zhao Chen wants absolute power, just like James.
Kobe was speechless when he heard Zhao Chen's request.
Zhao Chen really dared to speak.
"No problem. Except for Kobe, I'm not willing to tell him to get out." Jim Bass nodded.
"Of course." Zhao Chen smiled.
finally!
Intention confirmed!
